EU OFFICIAL RESPONDS TO TURKISH ARMY CHIEF ON MILITARY’S ROLE; VIEWS FREEDOMS

Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
3 Oct 06

Ankara, 3 October: Freedom of expression, religious freedoms and
civilian-military relations are political criteria that Turkey
should fulfil, as all other member states have done, said Hansjoerg
Kretschmer, the head of the delegation of the European Commission
to Turkey.

Appearing on a live broadcast on Turkish private NTV channel,
Kretschmer underlined importance of progress in political criteria,
and said that Turkey has to do more.

Kretschmer noted that EU’s stance towards civilian-military relations
is obvious, and he expressed his views about this matter in a meeting
held by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV),
when commenting on yesterday’s remarks of Chief of General Staff Gen
Yasar Buyukanit at the War Academies.

Recalling Buyukanit’s words that "the army has a different role in
Turkey", Kretschmer said: "There are two different positions and
views. And the commanders said that the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) is
different from the armies in the EU. We will see if it changes within
the negotiation process. Civilian-military relations are important in
the EU process, and it should be solved. I think that it is possible."

Kretschmer expressed belief that Turkey will fulfil all required
criteria, adding: "I am hopeful and optimistic. I think that Turkey
will be successful at the end of the process."

On the so-called Armenian genocide allegations, Kretschmer said that
it is not one of the accession criteria but it can be effective within
the general framework of the accession process.

Kretschmer noted that Turkish government is determined and willing
to make more reforms.

Commenting on the views that the EU is trying to divide Turkey,
Kretschmer said: "It is even impossible to talk about Turkey’s
division. Political criteria are for the best interest of Turkey and
Turkish people."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress