BRUSSELS - Efforts have been continuing to prepare the Accession Partnership Accord and the National Program, which are described as milestones in relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU).
During the contacts between Turkey and the EU, officials have been trying to make these two documents harmonious with each other.
Sources told the A.A correspondent on Friday that progress was recorded at political and technical meetings in Brussels in the last two days.
Following the EU's Copenhagen Summit in December of 2002, it was decided to hold political dialogue meetings between Turkey and the EU four times in a year.
First of these political dialogue meetings was held in Brussels last Wednesday.
During the meeting between the Turkish delegation headed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary Volkan Bozkir for the EU and relations with the EU members, and EU Turkey Desk officials, Turkey's efforts of adjustment with the EU were taken up.
Under the political dialogue mechanism, the sides will come together in May, September and December of 2003.
Turkish side expressed its uneasiness about the statement of Jean-Christophe Filori, one of spokesmen of the EU Commission, saying that the EU Commission would consider Turkey as occupying EU territory when the Greek Cypriot side joined the EU as a full member.
Turkish side stressed that even the United Nations did not use such a terminology.
Turkey-the EU Associate Partnership Committee convened in Brussels on Thursday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Internal Affairs officials and representatives of foreign trade, treasury and customs undersecretariats took place in the delegation.
During the meeting, agenda of meeting of the Associate Partnership Committee, which is scheduled to be held in Luxembourg on April 14, was determined.
The Committee accepted the Working Program for the year 2003 and submitted it to the approval of the Congress.
The participants said dialogue in technical level between Turkey and the EU gained strength, and stated that Customs Union was discussed in detail.
The participants said an action plan would be prepared to overcome existing problems and to further deepen Customs Union, and that issues having priority would be determined within this scope. Efforts are underway to complete preparation of action plan till meeting of the Association Council on April 14.
Financial aid toward Turkey was also discussed at the Committee.
The Commission, however, failed to set a figure, and reiterated its pledge that donations would be increased at least two times to Turkey.
It was reported that Accession Partnership Accord, which will be prepared by the EU, will be completed on March 26, and presented to the confirmation of the EU General Affairs Council on April 14. The document is foreseen to be officially conveyed to the Turkish side the same day in Turkish-EU Association Council.
The National Program, which will be prepared by Turkey, is expected to be presented in May after evaluation of Accession Partnership Accord.
The EU Commission, in the first Accession Partnership Accord which it had published in 2000, reflected its expectations from Turkey. There will not be new elements in the revised Accession Partnership Accord that would be presented in the coming weeks. Turkey wants the EU Commission to refrain from general expressions in the document, and requests the commission to express its demands concretely and clearly.
The biggest difficulty in political relations between Turkey and the EU in preparations of the Accession Partnership Accord stems from Cyprus issue. The EU flank reflected the disappointment, which stemmed from failure to record a development in this area, to the Turkish delegation.
''Political influence of military,'' ''closure of political parties'', ''torture'', ''difficulties in freedom of expression and thought'' are also expected to be taken place in the Accession Partnership Accord.
The Accession Partnership Accord will not mention ''short and medium'' term expectations, and giving time to Turkey till the end of 2004 will be in question to fulfill all the expectations.
(UK-AY) 14.03.2003