ANKARA: Parties make harsh statements at Turkey-EU JPC meeting

Turkish Press
June 14 2005

Press Scan

MILLIYET

PARTIES MAKE HARSH STATEMENTS AT TURKEY-EU JPC MEETING

The parties made harsh reactions at the 54th meeting of the Turkey-EU
Joint Parliamentary Commission.

The EU wing stated that reforms slowed down in Turkey, criticized
postponement of an Armenian conference and made criticisms that Chief
Negotiator Ali Babacan did not attend the meeting.

The Turkish delegation reacted to such a manner which was described as
“giving lesson”.

Co-President Joost Lagendijk said there were statements that few
progress was recorded in Turkey, noting that, “it seems the momentum
before December 17th has changed. Do you think of maintaining the
reform process?”. As to the Armenian conference, Lagendijk said,
“I was very pleased when I first heard about the conference. I hope
this is not a cancellation but a postponement.”