ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's veto on Turkish Penal Code (TCK) does not affect Turkey's EU process.''
Replying questions of reporters aboard the plane during his departure from Bahrain, Gul said, ''after rejection of EU Constitution in France, I did not have any meetings with European officials.''
''Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities regarding Customs Union Adjustment Protocol and now it is EU's turn. I have recently met Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn of Luxembourg and he told me that they will complete preparations about the protocol within a few weeks,'' said Gul.
Gul said, ''we have adopted all laws and Penal Code as well. It will come into effect on June 1st. Issues which concern the EU and laws about political criteria were all changed. Thus, we have fulfilled all of our responsibilities. We will now implement them. We will carefully follow the implementations.''
''Turkey is not affected from external and internal shocks. Referendum results in France did not affect Turkey and Turkish stock exchange,'' he added.
Gul said, ''there is a big capital in Bahrain. I believe there will be a great investment flow in Turkey from Bahrain.''
''As Europe and the United States have become old and saturated, Gulf countries are searching for new places to invest in,'' he noted.
(GC-A֩
2005-05-31