BRUSSELS - Foreign Minister Yasar Yakýs who is currently in Brussels for the European Convention meetings, had a bilateral meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Anna Palacio on Thursday.
Speaking after the meeting, Palacio said that France, Germany and Spain are in consensus of opinion about EU's giving a date to Turkey in Copenhagen summit, adding that this will be a conditional and foreseeable date.
Upon questions, Spanish Foreign Minister mentioned the years 2004 or 2005, hinting that a decision can be taken following the evaluation of Turkey Progress Report which the EU Commission will publish in the year 2004.
Palacio said that a positive signal will be given to Turkey, adding that the resolution and studies of the new government about EU give trust to the EU hoping these studies to continue.
Upon a question, Yakýs said that Turkey can't accept dates such as 2004 or 2005, adding that it won't be possible to explain this to the Turkish public opinion and that the EU can't show a rational reason about this delay.
Turkey wants and expects EU to decide on a date to start full membership talks in Copenhagen summit, adding that Turkey undertook the necessary reforms. If EU wants to see the implementation of these reforms, June 2003 can be considered, but dates which are later than that can't be acceptable.
Yakýs later met with EU High Commissioner for Enlargement Jaiver Solona in dinner. Yakýs and Solana took up issues such as European Security and Defense Policy, Cyprus issue and Turkey-EU relations. Yakýs said that he would hold a news conference about his contacts in Brussels on Friday.
Responding to questions of journalists, Yakýs said that Turkey would adopt the last reform package in the coming days and Copenhagen criteria will be completely fulfilled.
Yakýs said that the attitude of the EU will be examined in good will, adding that in case of a negative decision in Copenhagen summit, the reaction to that will be decided at that date. Yakýs said that ''we hope the EU to act logically and give a date to Turkey.''
Recalling that the EU started talks with centain candidate countries even if they didn't fulfill the criteria, Yakis said that EU should not show discrimination against Turkey.
Yakýs stressed that the formula of 'date for date' will also be illogical, adding that certain countries talk about EU countries' coming together in 2004 and give a date to Turkey for 2005. Yakýs said that there is no reason to explain why a direct date would not be given to Turkey and that such a formula can't be accepted.
Yakýs said that EU countries set up a correlation between the Cyprus issue and relations with Turkey, adding that Turkey rejected such a correlation. If Greek Cypriots are admitted to the EU without Turks, EU will have a sick baby in its hand and EU will have continious problems.
TRNC President Rauf Denktas has good intention about Annan's Cyprus plan, Yakýk said adding that the Turkish side works for the solution of Cyprus problem, yet a date for solution can't be given. Yakýs said that it will also be very difficult to explain to the Turkish public opinion an EU decision which will admit Greek Cypriots to EU alone.