Bahceli: Turkey To Overcome Economic Crisis Syndrome Soon

BEIJING (A.A) - 28.05.2002 - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said on Tuesday that Turkey would overcome the economic crisis syndrome in short term and the economic growth would speed up.
Holding a news conference in Turkish Embassy in Beijing, Bahceli said that ''it was important to assess the performance of the government which came to power three years ago.''
''The economic crisis caused the weakening of the political and economic stability environment in the country,'' said Bahceli adding that the economic programme namely ''transition to strong economy,'' aims to bring back the confidence and reform process to the economic field.
''Important progress has been recorded in economic field to date. The inflation started to decrease on the one hand, and the investment and production process started to revive on the other hand,'' Bahceli said.
Referring to the relations between Turkey and the EU, Bahceli said that the relations entered a very critical period. Vital decisions which will affect the future of the relations between Turkey and the EU will be taken in EU summit in Copenhagen in December this year. Bahceli said that a decision will also be taken in the summit about the ''membership of Cyprus to the EU.''
BAHCELI: TURKEY TAKES CONCRETE STEPS FOR EU MEMBERSHIP BY MHP'S ACTIVE SUPPORT
Bahceli said that EU wants Turkey to abolish death penalty, and to permit education and broadcasting in mother tongue to be in line with Copenhagen criteria.
Noting that MHP's attitude was clear and consistent from the beginning, Bahceli said that ''MHP wants membership of Turkey to the EU sincerely. The concrete steps were taken by the support of MHP. Accusing MHP on the issue is not right.''
Turkey fights with separatist terrorism for a period more than 17 years, Bahceli said adding that ''the threat of terrorism didn't end following the imprisonment of head terrorist. The terrorist organization has still armed militants in regions close to our borders.''
PKK changed its name without giving up its known targets, said Bahceli and stressed that the terrorist organization determined a new strategy to achive its goals through political means.
The membership process of Turkey to the EU and the Copenhagen political criteria are at the heart of the new political platform and strategy of PKK, he commented adding that ''this reality can not be ignored in discussions on EU membership process. The national sensitivities and concerns of MHP stem from this fact. The things wanted by the EU under the name of Copenhagen criteria and the political targets of PKK coincide with each other. It is not possible to accept these demands of EU as needs of democratization.''
BAHCELI: CERTAIN STEPS CAN'T BE TAKEN WITHOUT END OF TERRORISM THREAT IN TURKEY
Bahceli said that the end of terrorism threat in the country depends on certain developments. The first of these conditions is that the file of head terrorist Ocalan should be transferred to the parliament which will give a decision about it.
Bahceli said that there are no legal reasons and obligations left to keep Ocalan on Imrali island on special conditions, adding that Ocalan has to be transferred to the F type prison.
Bahceli stressed that the EU has to clearly show that it is sincere in fight with terrorism, adding that EU has to take KADEK into its list of terrorist organization.
The so-called administrators and armed militants of the terrorist organization should surrender to the state unconditionally, said Bahceli and noted that the countries which shelter these persons should take the necessary measures.
PKK/KADEK has to announce to Turkey and the public opinion that it completely gave up terrorism and it has to prove this, Bahceli remarked.
Upon a question about the meeting to be held in Presidential Residence on EU, Bahceli said that he would attend the meeting and explain his views there.
It is not correct to assess the Copenhagen criteria by isolating it from terrorism threat and potential, Bahceli said adding that ''the Copenhagen criteria should not be regarded as rigid list of preconditions that will determine the future of our relations with the EU.''
Bahceli said that the negotiations is a long process which can last for 10-12 years.
EU's giving a calendar to Turkey in Copenhagen summit will start a new period in bilateral relations, said Bahceli and noted that the historical opportunity should be used well.
''The steps that need to be taken for broadening the democratic rights and freedoms of individuals will be discussed in a new platform if a date is given to Turkey at the EU summit at the end of this year and if the terrorist threat ends,'' he added.

BAHCELI: ATTITUDE WHICH EU WILL ADOPT ABOUT TURKEY AND POLITICAL DECISION WHICH EU WILL TAKE ON CYPRUS ISSUE WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESULTS
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, said on Tuesday that the attitude which European Union (EU) would adopt about Turkey as well as the political decision which the union would take on Cyprus issue would have significant effects and results.
Bahceli visited former empire palace, ''forbidden city'' in the third day of his visit to China.
He and accompanying delegation came together with Turkish citizens living in China at Turkey's Embassy in Beijing.
Bahceli assessed the third year of 57th government following the reception Turkish Ambassador to China Rafet Akgunay hosted.
Bahceli said, ''Cyprus's being a full member to the EU will both make the solution of Cyprus issue impossible and also affect the future of the relations between Turkey and the EU deeply if the EU concluded Greek Cypriots' illegal application to the union before a political solution is reached in Cyprus.''