"ON THE WHOLE, THE REPORT IS POSITIVE AND BALANCED IN TERMS OF TURKEY"

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis held a press conference at the Secretariat General for EU Affairs and evaluated the European Commission's Progress Report on Turkey and the Enlargement Strategy. Bagis stated that on the whole the report was "positive and balanced" in terms of Turkey.

Indicating that it was reported in the progress report that in line with the EU Acquis Communautaire progress or significant progress was made in 18 chapters out of 33 chapters, Bagis noted that it was reported that there was also progress in the chapters such as justice, freedom and security, environment and competition policy though uneven. Bagis stated that in other words it was confirmed that Turkey made positive progress in 21 chapters and said, "Our country's objective of full membership to the EU is one of the main targets of our government. In this framework, we will continue to work with determination both in the context of political criteria and other chapters which concern every sphere of life."

Bagis continued as follows: "However, I don't assert that we agree on every view expressed in the EU report. There are also unjust criticisms here. We will conduct an evaluation work under the coordination of the Secretariat General for EU Affairs and with the contribution of all institutions and share our views and sensitivities which will come out of the analysis of the report more clearly with both the European Commission and EU member states and the public."

Stating that on the whole the report was positive and balanced in terms of Turkey, Bagis said, "Perhaps this is the most objective report issued so far, one which supports the reforms with determination and encourages the government."

Bagis said, "When we took office as AK Party government on 3 November 2002, we ourselves prepared our own progress report on the past years" and said that they observed the mistakes made in the past and they tried not to repeat them.

Noting that as a result of these efforts Turkey was now a country which opened 11 chapters and concluded 1 chapter in the negotiation process, Bagis stressed that his appointment as the first separate chief negotiator indicated the importance attached to the EU by the government and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bagis said, "This has now become a report examining what we achieved on technical issues, our successes, deficiencies, issues to be appreciated and improved and other technical details instead of levelling criticisms at Turkey on general topics" and he noted that this was a situation which showed Turkey's determination.

Noting that for the first time the report also made a call to the opposition, Bagis stated that he hoped that the opposition parties would support the EU process sincerely.

Bagis said the following: "Democratic initiative will be aimed at not a particular section in Turkey but it will be an effort aimed at promoting the democratic rights of all of us. There is more than one section in Turkey democratic rights of which are restricted, a lot of groups have problems, and we speak of here an initiative which will embrace all of them. I hope that Turkey will have freedom of expression which is at EU standards."

Upon a question about the law on protection of Ataturk, Bagis reiterated that no one would in no way be permitted to insult Ataturk in Turkey.

Indicating that the political criteria section of the report wasn't a ‘surprise' for them and this section took an overall view of Turkey, Bagis pointed out that the report praised the government and the President of the Republic of Turkey for their efforts at joining the EU.

Upon being asked about evaluations regarding Cyprus in the Commission report, noting that it was an extremely unjust attitude that Turkey was being criticized for the Cyprus issue in a period when it took positive steps, Minister for EU Affairs Bagis said, "If one tries to impose deadlock in Cyprus as an obstacle to Turkey's membership when it is deemed not to create any obstacle to membership of Cyprus, it becomes impossible to convey this to Turkish public opinion, fairness and conscience."

Indicating that Turkey's way to the EU passed through the TGNA; Bagis stated that this was a process which is related to how rapidly and with what kind of determination the reforms would be introduced.

Source: AA