ANKARA - Presidential Foreign Affairs Chief Adviser Tacan Ildem said on Friday that the laws which Turkey issued during adjustment process to EU were very important, noting that, ''the EU partners should see the importance of the laws which Turkey issued during EU adjustment process.''
Ildem responded to the questions of reporters during the weekly press briefing.
When asked if President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will meet with the leaders of the EU countries apart from Johannesburg Summit, Ildem said Sezer would continue bilateral contacts with heads of government and state, noting that this would be in the form of bilateral meeting or correspondence.
Pointing out that the laws adopted in the Parliament in EU full membership process were very important, Ildem said, ''they constitute a very important stage. Important arrangements have been made on critical and sensitive issues that will help us meet Copenhagen criteria. Our president expects the EU countries to take into consideration those important steps taken by Turkey. He expects them to consider those steps with the feeling of responsibility and common sense in evaluations that will take place next period. He also expects them to take a decision that will initiate Turkey's full membership in the possible shortest time. The President preserved his hope in this respect.''
Ildem said implementation of the EU adjustment bill was an expectation, noting that steps in this respect have been taken.
When asked what the President thought regarding the discussions about postponement of elections, Ildem said, ''Mr. President believes that people's will should be applied to overcome the uncertainties in such periods when political uncertainties increase in democracies. The Parliament decided for early elections by a majority of vote. President Sezer welcomed this decision of the Parliament.''
Ildem said, ''Mr. President believes that some problems which are caused by early elections, could be solved calmly and with the common sense of our nation.''
Responding to a question which said, ''Is there any change in Turkey's Iraq policy? There are the statements of National Defense Minister. How are they evaluated?'' Ildem said:
''There is no change in Turkey's policies related to Iraq. We, as Turkey, are in favor of the protection of Iraq's territorial integrity and political unification. We believe that the developments which will convert from these principles will lead to regional instability. Turkey is directly interested in Iraq's stability.''
Foreign Ministry responded to the declarations of Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Ildem said that statement had stressed that there was no change in Turkey's Iraq policy and added that political parties in Northern Iraq should take into consideration Turkey's views that all of Iraqi people should take decision on Iraq's future and territorial integrity. He said that the political parties would benefit from considering Turkey's constructive policy.
Ildem stressed that the leaders should not give up common sense and should refrain from the statements and policies which would not bring a benefit for them.
Upon a question on the postponement of early elections, Ildem said that President Sezer's view on the elections was clear.
Upon another question on the implementation of the EU laws, he said, ''the laws which were passed at the parliament are big steps. It is an important level. The implementation of those laws is also very significant.''
Ildem said, ''President Sezer has a determination to play the role of standard bearer for the steps which will ensure the implementations to be fulfilled soon with the concerned organizations. But, our EU partners should see the importance of the steps which Turkey has taken. These are really important steps.''
He said that they believed that EU countries would act responsibly for the decisions which would launch the realization of Turkey's full membership to the EU.
Ildem pointed out that the decisions which EU countries would take would be indicators of their good will related to Turkey's membership tendency.