Zaman, Turkey
March 7 2005
Turkish FM: Reforms Underway
By Suleyman Kurt
Published: Monday 07, 2005
zaman.com
The EU Commission’s Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, and the EU
Term President, Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselbor, met with
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday while in Ankara for a
European Union (EU)-Turkey meeting. Gul assured them that the reform
process will be sustained.
Rehn said it is normal for Turkey to take a “breather” after the
December 17th EU summit, but that it is necessary to continue reform
work. Rehn referred to remarks made by the EU Commission’s Ankara
Representative Hansjorg Kretschmer who said, “Turkey has slowed down
on the reform process.” Rehn said, “Reforms in Ankara may have slowed
down, but there seems to be no problem in Brussels.” Meanwhile, Gul
reiterated Turkey’s expectations of the EU and said, “If the EU
remains loyal to its assurances, we are ready to take the process
further.”
Gul first met with Rehn and briefed him about Turkey’s performance
since the December 17th summit. The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed
that Turkey has confirmed its guarantee to sign the adaptation
protocol, saying, “This protocol, when the time comes, will be
signed. In the EU process, there is no slowing down because of us. We
decisively claim the reform process and its implementations.” Gul
also conveyed Turkish demands for the Accession Partnership Document
and underlined the sensitivities. He asked the EU to prepare the
document with consideration of Turkish sensitivities. Gul urged EU
not to discriminate against Turkey and not to act differently than
they did during the Croatian process. Turkey does not want Alevi,
Kurdish, and Armenian issues to be included in the documents. Gul
also raised the discarding of regulations to lift sanctions in the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and emphasized that the
Greek Cypriots have prevented a solution. He warned that they are
seeking shelter behind the EU. Rehn admitted there are “difficulties
with the Greek side.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress