MILLIYET- Columnist Derya Sazak writes on Turkey’s desire to begin accession negotiations to the EU as soon as possible. A summary of his column is as follows:
Turkey’s intention to begin accession negotiations for full EU membership was once more declared by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday. Cem, who yesterday received EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, said that the target set for 2002 was an optimistic alternative but that he believed it could come true. - On the other hand Verheugen seemed more realistic. He said, ‘We will monitor the process in Turkey. The date of negotiations totally depend on the progress achieved in Turkey.’ The EU Commissioner then listed the steps to be taken in compliance with the Copenhagen criteria, such as the abolition of death penalty and education in Kurdish. It is understood that the dialogue process in Cyprus is well received by Brussels. The messages of Verheugen can also be defined as optimistic as the time is ticking away and the deadline for short-term goals is getting closer. Following March 19, there will be more important expectations from Turkey. The time will come to discuss death penalty, Kurdish television, and education in mother tongue. Turkey will be taking the sharpest turn to start the accession negotiations. The stance of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) during the amendments to the Articles 159 and 312 of the Penal Code (TCK), and hacking of EU representative Karen Fogg’s diplomatic communication over internet by Labour Party (IP) are showing that a lobby against the EU has begun working in Turkey. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem defined the action against Fogg as a shameful crime and took action for the double violation in view of both individual rights and diplomatic immunity. Ankara Republican Prosecutor’s decision to start an investigation on the issue is correct. We are confronted with the provocation of those who want to put obstacles in Turkey’s way to the EU. If Turkey is to find its true place in the 21st century, it is in the EU.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION