Anadolu Agency: News in English, 00-11-02

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

2 NOVEMBER 2000

Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] TURKISH CONTRACTORS SIGN 99 PROJECTS WORTH OF 1.4 U.S. DOLLARS ABROAD

[03] EXPORTS DECREASED 5.1 PERCENT IN OCTOBER

[04] HYGIENE COMMITTEE CLOSES DOWN THE SCHOOLS IN YATAGAN

[05] TOUR OPERATORS START TO PLAN TOURISM IN TURKEY FOR 2001

[06] NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING CAPPADOCIA REGION INCREASES

[07] TURKEY WELCOMES AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

[08] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

TURKISH GREEK BUSINESS COUNCIL TO CONVENE IN ATHENS
The Turkish Greek Business Council will convene in Athens, on Thursday under the chairmanship of Panayotis Koutsikos, the Co-Chairman of the Council. Koutsikos said that the business relations between the two countries increased 48 percent in the first six months of the year. Koutsikos added that the businessmen of the two countries did not have to challenge any bureaucratic obstacles anymore.

KENAN EVREN TO BE FINED FOR POLLUTING THE SEA
Fevzi Aytekin, the Minister of of Environment, said that they would start an investigation for Kenan Evren, the seventh President of Turkey, upon his statements which he made previously. Evren had previously said that he had thrown the 750 plaques, which were presented to him, to the sea as he didn't find any place to put them in his home. Aytekin said they would investigate the incident, and that Evren might be fined for polluting the sea. Aytekin pointed out that the minimum fine for polluting the sea was 2 billion Turkish Liras (TL).

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

TELEPHONE TRAFFIC FOR DEMIREL
Madeleine Albright, the U.S. State Secretary who proposes Suleyman Demirel, the Ninth President of Turkey to take part in the mediator delegation in the Middle East; talked with Premier Bulent Ecevit on the phone. Ecevit told Albright that this was a very appropriate decision. After his phone talk with Albright, Ecevit called Demirel on the phone and said this indicates Demirel's and Turkey's importance.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

KECILI AND GARIPOGLU TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Nail Kecili, the owner of Cen Ajans, and Hayyam Garipoglu, the former owner of Sumerbank which was transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, were taken into custody within framework of investigation into Egebank and Sumerbank. In accordance with the documents collected by Nuh Mete Yuksel, the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor, Kecili was detained in Aegean Marmaris province. Kecili was taken to Ankara after he underwent health control. Garipoglu was taken into custody in Istanbul. The interrogation of Garipoglu, his father and six other people continues.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ DUE TO ATHENS
The compromise between Ankara and Athens on the Aegean eased the atmosphere before November 8, when the accession partnership document will be declared. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will go to Greece on Thursday to attend the Turkish-Greek Business Council meeting. Yilmaz is expected to meet with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

YATAGAN: POISON OR DARKNESS
The Yatagan Thermic Station which exhales poison in Yatagan township for three days, cannot be closed. Because, if it is closed, the Aegean Region will remain in darkness. On the other hand, residents of Yatagan are fearing of death due to the air pollution.

YENİ BİNYIL (LIBERAL)

TRANSITION THROUGH STRAITS WITHOUT TUGBOATS IS PROHIBITED
Ramazan Mirzaoglu, the State Minister for maritime, said that it would be obligatory to rent a tug boat for foreign ships while passing through the Turkish straits for safety reasons. Mirzaoglu said that the Istanbul Strait which is 35 kilometers long is the world's most risky strait. ''Our straits are open to international navigation; however, these ships have to take safety measures. We cannot allow tankers weighing 100,000 tons to pass through our straits without a tug boat. This would be an unacceptable mistake,'' Mirzaoglu added.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TANTAN, MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, SAYS THAT THEY
WERE STRUGLING AGAINST CORRUPTION IN TURKEY
Saadettin Tantan, the Interior Minister, said they were struggling against the corruption in Turkey, adding that the whole nation should exert efforts to stop the corruption in Turkey. Tantan noted that they would stop the corruption in Turkey at any costs, and told the Turkish nation that they should support the government in this struggle.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

NUMBER OF BANKS TARGETED TO BE DECREASED BY HALF
The bank marriages and transfers will be exempt from tax and charges till the end of 2005 within the framework of the project for rehabilitation of banking sector. The document including tax arrangements that would be put into practice to encourage bank marriages and transfers prepared by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board would be annexed to the supplementary tax draft law which was currently in the Parliament. With this objective, a provisional article would be included in the Corporation Tax Law in accordance with a proposal that would be brought during discussions at the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission on the draft law foreseeing continuation of special communication and special transaction taxes. In accordance with this arrangement, bank marriages and transfers would be supported.

-TOTAL OF 7.1 MILLION BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL
STRUCK FROM 163 WELLS IN SOUTHEAST
GAZIANTEP- A total of 7 million 161 thousand 328 barrels of crude oil were struck from 163 wells in southeastern Adiyaman province and its vicinity in the first ten months of 2000.

Officials of Adiyaman Governorship and Turkish Oil Corp. (TPAO) told A.A correspondent on Thursday 90.1 percent of the oil produced in Turkey are produced from the wells of TPAO and the rest from the wells of private seczor.

A total of 23,557 barrels of high gravity oil was obtained from 163 wells in 18 different fields in Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Kilis a day, the officials said.

The TPAO and private companies are producing oil from wells in Adiyaman, Karakus, Cemberlitas, Dogu Firat, Guney Karakus, Kuzey Karakus, Cendere, Besikli, Tokaris, Dogu Besikli, Ikizce, Ozan Sungurlu, Karadut, Caylarbasi, Lilan, Yanankoy, Bozova and Akgun.

-TURKISH FILM WINS AN AWARD IN BEIJING INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC
MOVIES FESTIVAL
BEIJING- A Turkish film named ''Bir Golge Gecti'' (A Shadow Has Passed) won the Special Award of the Jury in the Beijing International Scientific Movies Festival.

The movie which was written and directed by Tulay Sertoz, is about the stories of various people living in eastern Elazig province, and northern Amasya province, during the solar eclipse in 1999.

The film reflects the reactions and the fears of the locals of these regions during the solar eclipse. The film also tells the story of the chaos that the locals experienced after the major earthquake which hit Turkey soon after the solar eclipse.

The film is dedicated to those who passed away in the 17 August Earthquake.

A Swedish movie named Miracle of Love won the Best Movie Award in the Festival which was organized for the first time.

A total of 200 movies from 20 countries participated in the festival.

-GERMAN RED CROSS DONATES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO KARAMURSEL STATE
HOSPITAL
KARAMURSEL - The German Red Cross donated medical equipment to the Karamursel State Hospital within the framework of earthquake aid.

The German Cross handed over a dialysis, electrocadriogram, laparoscopy, and a defibrillator to the Karamursel State Hospital on Wednesday.

Several operations can be made easily with the new medical equipment donated by the German Cross.

Meanwhile, the German Cross is also consructing prefabricated polyclinic huts in the garden of the Karamursel State Hospital. The construction of the huts are planned to be finished in a months' time.

-GAP REGION EXPORTS AGRICULTURAL, ANIMAL, AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
WORTH OF 459.8 MILLION US DOLLARS
GAZIANTEP - Agricultural, animal, and industrial products worth of 459 million 871 thousand U.S. dollars, were exported from the Southeastern Anatolia Project(GAP) region in the first ten months of the year.

An exportation worth of 459 million 926 thousand U.S. dollars was made in the same period of last year.

Abdulkadir Cikmaz, the Chairman of the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters Association told the A.A correspondent that one million 591 thousand U.S. dollars of animal product; 69 million 167 thousand U.S. dollars of cereals and legume; 40 million 141 thousand U.S. dollars of dried fruit; 263 million 568 thousand U.S. dollars of textiles products; 85 million 404 thousand U.S. dollars of fruit, vegetable and industrial products, were exported from the region in ten months time of 2000.

Cikmaz noted that the exportation of the animal products had decreased 86 percent, and the exportation of the cereals and legumes had also decreased 9 percent between January and October 2000.

Cikmaz pointed out that the exportation of the textiles products had increased 11 percent, and the exportation of the fruit, vegetable, and industrial products had increased one percent, compared to the same period of last year.

-YATAGAN THERMIC POWER STATION CLOSED DOWN AGAIN
MUGLA- The three units of Yatagan Thermic Station were closed down again as the air pollution in Yatagan township of Aegean Mugla province had increased.

The air pollution increased in Yatagan as the wind stopped blowing.

Releasing a statement, the Governorship of Mugla said that the three units of the thermic station were closed down in the early hours of Thursday, as the ratio of sulphurdioxide in air increased in Yatagan.

The officials said that the thermic power station would be kept closed till 13.00 p.m., with the order of Turkish Electricity Inc.(TEAS), and the decision on activating the station would be given following the measurements in midday.

The officials also noted the thermic station in Yatagan was closed down three times this week, adding that an energy deficit of 500 megawatts had occured throughout the week.

Meanwhile, the Yatagan township Hygiene Committee convened to discuss the issue of closing down schools in Yatagan township for Thursday and Friday.

-GERMAN EXPERTS PREPARES TO SAVE GIANT GOD STATUES ON NEMRUT MOUNTAIN
KAHTA- Experts of the German Archeology Institute and International Nemrut Foundation were preparing for the works that would be carried out on Nemrut Mountain to save the giant god statues belonging to Commagene Kingdom.

Maurice Crijns, the Chairman of International Nemrut Foundation which aims at restoring and preserving artifacts on Nemrut Mountain, said on Thursday that their foundation is having cooperation with German Archeology Institute.

The scientific board including topographers, architects, historians and engineers, has fixed their priorities, schedule and program, Crijns noted.

Crijns stated that this board will prepare a report on its works and submit it to the Culture Ministry.

The International Nemrut Foundation and Turkish Democracy Foundation will undertake the finance of the works, Crijns said.

Crijns stressed that they target at restoring Nemrut with scientific methods and that they are pleased with the support of the Culture Ministry and Adiyaman Governorship.

Nemrut should be preserved and saved, Crijns added.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held in Ankara to discuss initiatives that will be carried out to save Nemrut.

Crijns; Bulent Akarcali, the Chairman of Turkish Democracy Foundation and a member of Executive Board of International Nemrut Foundation; Fikret Uccan, the Culture Ministry Undersecretary; Alpay Pasinli, the General Director of Monuments and Museums; Henry T. Wright, John A. Echave, and Reza Deghati of the National Geographic magazine attended the meeting.

The works to save Nemrut is planned to be started in May, 2001.

[02] TURKISH CONTRACTORS SIGN 99 PROJECTS WORTH OF 1.4 U.S. DOLLARS ABROAD

The data of the State Statistics Institute show that there is a decrease of 34.65 percent in the sum of the projects when the figures of 1998 and 1999 are compared. There is also a decrease of 18.2 percent in the number of projects signed when the two years are compared.

The data also show that 69 projects worth of one billion 249 million U.S. dollars were signed in 1999 with the Commonwealth of the Independent States.

The Turkish contractors signed 10 projects worth of 127.7 million U.S. dollars with the countries in the Middle East region.

The project with the highest value with 403.5 million U.S. dollars, was signed with Kazakhstan. Russia ranked the second with the projects worth of 230.3 million U.S. dollars, and Turkmenistan ranked the third with the projects worth of 192.5 million U.S. dollars.

The Turkish contractors signed 18 projects with the Russian Federation, 17 projects with Turkmenistan, and 8 projects with Uzbekistan in 1999.

''Construction of buildings other than houses'' group ranked the first in the contracting projects abroad when the number of the projects and the value of the projects are considered.

A total of 56 projects worth of 850 million 915 thousand U.S. dollars, were in the building construction other than houses group.

The contracting activities of the Turkish companies had started with one project worth of 18.21 million U.S. dollars in 1981.

Since 1985 the Turkish contractors signed 320 projects worth of 10 billion 96 million U.S. dollars.

The Turkish contractors had mainly signed the agreements with the countries in the Middle East region in the 80s, and nowadays are signing agreements with the northern neighbours of Turkey.

[03] EXPORTS DECREASED 5.1 PERCENT IN OCTOBER

The increase of exports in first ten months of 2000 was 2.2 percent.

A statement of TIM said that Turkey's exports were around 2 billion 496 million U.S. dollars in October 1999.

The ten-month export increased from 21 billion 979 million U.S. dollars to 22 billion 468 million U.S. dollars in 2000 when compared to 1999.

[04] HYGIENE COMMITTEE CLOSES DOWN THE SCHOOLS IN YATAGAN

The Hygiene Committee in the township decided to close down the schools for Thursday and Friday.

The three units of the Yatagan Thermic Power Station were earlier closed.

[05] TOUR OPERATORS START TO PLAN TOURISM IN TURKEY FOR 2001

Oger Tour, one of the tourism agencies which bring many tourists to Turkey, will organize a tour and promotion facility under the scope of ''Hallo Turkei'' campaign between November 4-8.

One thousand representatives of the German agencies who were marketing Turkey in Germany were invited to southern Antalya province within the framework of the programme.

Huseyin Baraner, the Advisor of Oger Tour told A.A correspondent that 2000 was very fruitful for the tourism sector, and that they started their promotion facilities in order to achieve the same success in 2001 season.

[06] NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING CAPPADOCIA REGION INCREASES

A total of 940 thousand 445 tourists, including 564 thousand 405 foreign tourists, visited the Goreme Open Air Museum; Zelve and Acıksaray Ruins; Cavusin, Gulsehir, and St. Jean churches; and Tatlarin, Mazi, Ozkonak, Derinkuyu, and Kaymakli under ground cities between January and October 2000.

A total of 756 thousand 364 tourists, including 360 thousand 579 foreign tourists, visited the Cappadocia region during the same period of last year.

The officials said that the tourists who visited the region mainly came from the Far East, the U.S., and Europe.

[07] TURKEY WELCOMES AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the sides had reached an agreement to cooperate in halting the violence at the end of a meeting in Gaza between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Shimon Peres.

The statement noted, ''Turkey considers implementation of the cease-fire understandings reached at a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, between October 16 and 17, and return of the sides to negotiation table as the only way. Peace can only be settled in the region through negotiations.''

''Turkey believed that there were not any other alternatives except for negotiations. It encourages both sides to show the necessary political will to this end. Turkey will continue to contribute to efforts to settle a fair and lasting peace in the Middle East,'' it added.

[08] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS

Toskay briefed the journalists about the decisions taken in the Council of Ministers meeting which lasted for 2,5 hours.

Toskay said Defense Industry Undersecretariat gave briefing to the Council of Ministers today, adding that Abdulhaluk Cay, the State Minister, gave information about President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's tour to Turkish Republics.

Toskay also said Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk and Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan gave information about the protest in Usak Prison.

Toskay said all the information has been discussed and that they decided to announce to the public that the state was resolved to take every kind of effective measures to provide security in prisons.

Government Spokesman Toskay said National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu made a general evaluation about defense industry, and later Prof. Ali Ercan, the Defense Industry Undersecretary, gave a briefing. Toskay said the Council of Ministers was given information in the briefing about the course of defense expenses in the world, ratio of defense industry expenses to gross national product, rate of defense industry per capita in regard to Turkey, Turkey's neighbors, and both NATO and other world countries.

-COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS (2)
-TOSKAY; ''FIVE PEOPLE DIED IN PRISON UNREST IN USAK''
ANKARA- Tunca Toskay, the State Minister and Government Spokesman, said on Thursday that the government was determined to provide security in prisons without making bargaining with anybody.

Toskay responded to the questions of reporters following the Council of Ministers Meeting.

Toskay said protest in Usak Prison had nothing to do with demand for amnesty, adding that it stemmed from the conflict of the organized crime organizations.

When a journalist asked if amnesty draft law, which was returned to the Parliament by the President to be discussed again, was brought to the agenda, Toskay said, ''unrest in Usak Prison has nothing to do with the amnesty.''

Pointing out that according to the recent information they obtained, five people died in prison unrest, Toskay said only protest in Usak Prison was discussed in Council of Ministers meeting. Toskay noted that amnesty was not taken up.

Speaking about the reason of the incidents, Toskay said the Council of Ministers was of the opinion that the unrest stemmed from the conflict between the organized crime organizations.

When asked about the measures that would be taken to prevent the protests in prison, Toskay said, ''it was once again stated in the Council of Ministers that the government would not bargain with anybody, and that it was determined to provide security in prisons.''

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said unrest in Usak Prison was a rebellion started by Nuri and Vedat Ergin brothers.

Turk said some of the hostages were shot or lost their lives after being thrown from the windows, and noted that required measures have been taken to prevent the incidents.

-TURKEY REPAYS 53.90 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS IN FOREIGN DEBT ON NOVEMBER 1
ANKARA - Turkey repaid a total of 53.90 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt on November 1, 2000.

The Central Bank data shows that the Treasury repaid 51.90 million U.S. dollars; the Central Bank repaid 1.43 million U.S. dollars; the administrations with general and annexed budgets repaid 0.57 million U.S. dollars in foreign debt on November 2.

Meanwhile, a total of 8 billion 348.73 million U.S. dollars of foreign debt has been repaid since the beginning of the year.

-CENTRAL BANK'S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES DECREASE
BY 990 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS BETWEEN OCTOBER 20-27
ANKARA- Central Bank's foreign exchange reserves decreased by 990 million U.S. dollars between October 20-27.

According to Central Bank's weekly bulletin, the Bank's foreign exchange reserves which had been 24 billion 239 million U.S. dollars on October 20 decreased to 23 billion 249 million U.S. dollars on October 27 while its gold reserves remained at 1 billion 10 million U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, the total foreign exchange reserves of the banks and private finance organizations (OFK) had decreased 482 million U.S. dollars from 16 billion 507 million U.S. dollars to 16 billion 25 million U.S. dollars as of October 13.

Meanwhile, the international reserves comprising Turkey's gold reserves and foreign exchange reserves of Central Bank, commercial banks and OFK had decreased 173 million U.S. dollars from 42 billion 47 million U.S. dollars to 41 billion 874 million U.S .dollars as of October 13.

-COEPA ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING STARTS
ISTANBUL - Uluc Gurkan, the Chairman of the Turkish Delegation of the Council of Europe Parliamentarian Assembly (COEPA), said on Thursday that a long term growth, stability, and employment could be achieved in case global market economies of the 21st Century and social responsibility understanding are united.

COEPA Economic Affairs and Development Commission Meeting started today under auspieces of Parliament.

Addressing the meeting, Gurkan pointed out that 21st Century brought several difficulties and opportunities at the same time, and that many problems could be solved in case globalization is revealed with the sense of justice and equality.

Gurkan said although great development was recorded in living standarts in the 21st century, many people continued to live under these living conditions. He said 1.3 billion people in the world lived under the limits of poverty.

Gurkan pointed out that globalization should continue in a way that would be for the benefit of everybody.

-GOVERNOR CEVIK SAYS SITUATION IS CALMER AT USAK PRISON
USAK - Ayhan Cevik, the Governor of Usak, said on Thursday, ''the situation is calmer now'' regarding the riots in Usak prison.

Cevik departed from Usak Prison in which Nuri Ergin, the leader of Karagumruk gang, and his friends took hostage Mustafa Kurt, the warden of the prison, four of his aides and some warders after their request for transfer of their friends who were imprisoned in Trabzon, Samsun and Amasya prisons, was rejected.

Cevik told reporters, ''negotiations with inmates are under way. The situation is calmer now. I hope it would normalize.''

Tight security measures have been taken in and around prison building.

A number of relatives of inmates are waiting outside the prison.

-THIRD EURASIA ECONOMY SUMMIT
-ERSUMER, MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES:
''NOBODY SHOULD SEE THE TURKISH STRAITS AS A NATURAL
OIL ROUTE''
ISTANBUL - Cumhur Ersumer, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, said on Thursday that, ''we openly announce that nobody should consider the Turkish straits as a natural oil route.''

Addressing the opening of the ''International Energy Conference,'' Ersumer stressed that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline did not have any alternative due to the importance it attributed to the environmental values, and due to the security of the route. Ersumer said, ''it may have rivals, but no alternatives.''

Ersumer said Turkey regarded itself as the leader and was resolved and insistent in every platform about the completion of the projects for more than 10 years.

Ersumer stressed that resources in the Caspian region should be extracted soon and transported to Western markets, and noted that these resources should enter to the economies of the countries.

The Energy Minister stressed that Turkey was a gate opening to the west, and a natural bridge that would exist forever, adding that they were willing for these territories, which hosted many civilizations for centuries, to host energy pipelines now.

Ersumer said, ''we openly announce that nobody should consider the Turkish straits as a natural oil route. Ecological balance of the Black Sea in transportation of these sources to the West, is a concept that should be taken care in particular.''

Ersumer said Turkey, which is one of the most important consumers of Europe and the region, is in the position of a poor neigbour of countries which have rich energy resources.

Pointing out that Turkey would need 55 billion cubic meters natural gas, 49 million tonnes of oil in 2010, and 83 billion cubic meters natural gas and 74 million tonnes of oil in 2020, Ersumer said, ''many projects have been produced in the world regarded with the region. However, today, there is only Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which is accepted to have priority. This pipeline has no alternative due to the importance it attributes to economic and environemental values. It may have rivals, but no alternatives.''

Ersumer said, Turkey worked very much to make this pipeline economical, adding that, ''all international proceedings have been made regarded with the construction of the pipeline according to the international criteria. We say this is the last agreement we signed. Baku oil will flow to Ceyhan in 2004, and a new oil market will be formed in the Mediterranean. Those people who live there will get the prosperity they deserved.''

-SUPREMACY OF LAW CONFERENCE
-PRESIDENT SEZER: ''LEGAL STATE PRINCIPLE
IS BASED ON SUPREMACY OF LAW'''
ISTANBUL- President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Thursday that legal state principle was based on the supremacy of law, adding that, ''the most advanced level of the communal organization is the pluralist and democratic legal state. Democratic legal state is the regime of principles and institutions.''

Sezer sent a message to ''Supremacy of Law,'' Conference jointly staged by British Council and Istanbul Bilgi University, and said as a result of reforms experienced in the world in recent years, thought systems changed, and concepts of democracy, supremacy of law, and human rights gained importance as the universal values playing a determining role for the future of the nations.

Sezer said, ''legal state principle is based on supremacy of law principle, '' adding that these concepts reached a universal framework today with the historical development of humanity.

Sezer said today human rights is not only an issue of internal laws, but became an issue of international law, adding that a supra-national human rights law is mentioned now. He said this was formed with the international agreements.

Recalling that Turkey, being a member of the Council of Europe, signed many international agreements including human rights, Sezer said basic rights and freedoms, arranged in European Convention on Human Rights, were at the same time taken under guarantee by judicial control.

Sezer said, ''Turkey is a European country. Being a democratic and secular Republic, believing in supremacy of law, and basic human rights and freedoms, Turkey adopted values that are rooted in Europe within a long process, and contributed to the development of these values. One of the basic goals of Turkish foreign policy was to integrate its national systems with Europe. An important step has been taken in integration of Turkey with Europe. We are aware that willingness to be a member of the EU brought responsibilities and assignments to Turkey. We should take required steps in a determined way to fulfil the desired conditions.''

Sezer said Turkey would overcome its deficiencies within the framework of a calender that has been determined, and would do its best during the adjustment process. He said the parliament exerted efforts in this respect.

Sezer stressed that establishment of the EU General Secretariat and its working was an important development revealing Turkey's willingness to be a member of the EU.

Sezer said Accession Partnership Accord, which will be prepared by the EU Commission, should include elements that can be accepted by Turkey.

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