Anadolu Agency: News in English, 01-06-21

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ANADOLU AGENCY

NEWS

21 JUNE 2001 Thursday

CONTENTS

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

[02] AKYUZ, REPRESENTATIVE OF TUSIAD IN WASHINGTON D.C.: -''WE ALL SEE NEGATIVITIES, BUT IMPORTANT REFORMS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS SHOULD NOT BE DISREGARDED''

[03] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR ROMANIA (2): -''IN MY OPINION, NOBODY SHOULD MAKE ANY STATEMENT THAT CAN AFFECT JUDICIARY DURING THE TRIAL PROCESS''

[04] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN: -''NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DECREASED BY 8 PERCENT IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 2001 COMPARED TO SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR''

[05] SECURITY FORCES DETAIN 14 MEMBERS OF GREENPEACE PROTESTING OIL COMPANIES

[06] AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SCHUESSEL ARRIVES IN ANKARA

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES DSP GROUP -ECEVIT: ''I HOPE A CERTAIN SOLUTION WILL BE OBTAINED SOON IN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS''

[08] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION ADOPTS BILLS APPROVING ONE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND TWO AGREEMENTS

[09] TURKEY AND SYRIA SIGN PROTOCOL TO INCREASE RELATIONS IN A NUMBER OF FIELDS

[10] AYTEKIN STARTS INVESTIGATION ABOUT THE DEATH OF CARETTA CARETTAS

[11] COUNCIL OF EUROPE ASKS TURKEY AND RUSSIA TO ABOLISH DEATH SENTENCE

[12] IZMIR TRADE CHAMBER DELEGATION COMES TO SAMOS ISLAND OF GREECE FOR THIRD TURKEY'S AEGEAN COASTS AND GREECE'S AEGEAN ISLANDS ECONOMIC SUMMIT

[13] GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY SCHMIDTH SAYS NOBODY HAS THE INTENTION OF PREVENTING TURKS' FROM SPEAKING TURKISH IN GERMANY

[14] PRESIDENT SEZER AND ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ILIESCU CHAIR INTERDELEGATIONARY MEETINGS AND HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE

[15] PREMIER ECEVIT HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE WITH AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SCHUSSEL -ECEVIT SAYS THEY DISCUSSED ALL IMPORTANT WORLD PROBLEMS WITH SCHUSSEL

[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

According to the bill the tobacco prices will be determined between the producers and the merchants. The tobacco prices will be formed according to free market conditions.

Those who run a factory of tobacco products or alcoholic beverages without official permission will be sentenced to one to three years of jail term or a minimum of 250 million TL fine.

In accordance with the bill, TEKEL's State Economic Enterprise status will be changed into Economic State Organization status, paving the way for its privatization.

Under the bill, the Turkish Trade Law rules won't be implemented in TEKEL's privatization in order to accelerate the privatization process.

The state won't purchase tobacco from producers to support them in 2002 and in the following years according to the bill.

TURKISH SEAL TO ROMANIA
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Thursday will visit Romania. Visit of Sezer, which will take place upon the official invitation of Ion Iliescu, the Romanian President, targets improving bilateral political relations.

Trade relations between the two countries had already improved in the recent 10 years after the Turkish entrepreneurs made much investments in this country following the coup.

According to the official records in Turkish Embassy in Bucharest, a total of 6,300 Turkish companies are acting in this country. The total investment amount is ''registered 500 million U.S. dollars.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

However, the Constitutional amendment, which the parliament can materialize in two sessions, can not be brought onto the agenda despite the 25 months which passed.

A case had been opened against the FP on May 7, 1999 on grounds that the FP was continuation of the banned Welfare Party (RP) and a center for anti- secular activities. Immediately after the case, all the sides, mainly the leaders, began to defend the view that ''decisions to close parties formed an obstacle on the way to become an EU member.''

Nowadays, when the decision sessions started in closure case, the leaders disclosed their views against party closures. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said postponement of the court decision would be beneficial. Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Mesut Yilmaz said party closures can not be explained to Europe, whereas Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Devlet Bahceli said the changes would be historical steps. Meanwhile, the FP officially applied to the Constitutional Court and demanded the constitutional changes to be waited for the decision.

MIGROS GOES TO TEHRAN
Migros, which has 447 shopping centers throughout the country and 21 shoping centers abroad, had decided to make investments in neighbouring countries with a new project. Migros, which had made its first investment to Sofia, Bulgaria, now getting prepared to make investment to Syria and Iran.

Migros, which intensified on those markets, plans to open shopping centers in Tehran and Damascus in the first half of 2002.

Cengiz Solakoglu, the Koc Holding Consumption Group Chairman, pointed out that there has been an important change in Iran and Syria, noting that, ''a cooperation protocol has been signed between Turkey and Syria. Relations develop.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)

HARSH CRITICISM FROM YILMAZ TO TANTAN
Parliamentarians who are members of the European Parliament Domestic Affairs Commission, asked State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yilmaz why an interior minister struggling against corruptions was removed from his office. Responding to their question, Yilmaz said, ''an interior minister's duty is not limited with struggle against corruptions. Also he should be respectful to human rights. This the reason of his removal from office. I do not want to give any more detail.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

Mustafa Bumin, the Chief Judge of the Constitutional Court pointed out that the examination of the evidences was completed, noting that, ''we have started evaluation.'' It was reported that the voting process can be completed today or tomorrow.

SCHUESSEL DUE IN TURKEY
Dr. Wolfgang Schuessel, the Austrian Chancellor, will pay an official visit to Turkey today. Visit of Schuessel is important as it is the second visit from an EU member country in prime ministry level following the Helsinki summit.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

BP, the biggest partner behind the Baku-Ceyhan project, which will transport Azeri oil to the West via Turkey gave hope. He said from now on they knew the quantity of the oil, and noted that the consortium, which will contruct the pipeline was very strong.

Browne said the construction of the pipeline would start after nine months, noting that the oil will flow in 2005 the latest. He said Turkey caught an opportunity to be a center of gas and oil which will reach from the Caspian region to the West.

EYES OF EU ON FP
Desire of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to issue constitutional amendment, which makes party closures difficult before the parliament recesses, is revealed. Officials of the European Union (EU) had openly warned Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

The EU officials, which Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met in Guthenburg and Brussels, while he was accompanying Prime Minister Ecevit in the EU summit, listed their expectations from Ankara.

''Take immediate concrete steps in democratization. Closure of FP will create difficulty for Turkey in Accession Council that will take place on June 26,'' they said.

Cem conveyed Ecevit the seriousness of those warnings when they were returning to Turkey.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

ECHR TO TAKE A FINAL DECISION ABOUT RP IN JULY
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is expected to give its verdict about the application of the outlawed Welfare Party (RP) against Turkey in the beginning of July. The concerned chamber of the Court would convene in two weeks and give its final decision, adding that the chamber needed two more weeks to write down the reasoned verdict. The ECHR stated that it decided to delay its final decision about the RP not to affect verdict to be taken by the Constitutional Court in the closure case against the Virtue Party (FP).

EMLAKBANK TO BE LIQUIDATED
After legalization of the bill by the parliament, liquidation of 15 state funds and Emlakbank became certain. In accordance with the bill, duty losses of the banks came to an end.

OSMANLI BANK AND KORFEZBANK TO MERGE
A decision was taken to merge Osmanlı Bank with Korfezbank. The banks will be combined under the roof of Osmanlı Bank. Osmanlı Bank is owned by Dogus Holding.

ZIRAAT BANKASI MAKES 64.6 TRILLION TURKISH LIRAS NET PROFIT IN 2000
Ziraat Bankasi's net profit rose 60.9 percent to 64.6 trillion Turkish liras (TL) in 2000. According to independent supervisory report of the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu member DRT Supervision Revision Financial Counselling company, Ziraat Bankasi's net profit had been 40.2 trillion TL in the end of 1999. Ziraat Bankasi's total assets rose 36.2 percent from 12 quadrillion 35.3 trillion TL in the end of 1999 to 16 quadrillion 394.9 trillion TL in the end of 2000.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

Koray Aydin, the Public Works and Settlement Minister, said Yener Yildirim will join in MHP.

Aydin said three other parliamentarians could join in MHP in a short time, noting that, ''we don't have a tendency to get more than 40 parliamentarians who want to join in the MHP. We will accept three parliamentarians in specific times, and later five others will also join in MHP.''

THE BIGGEST PROTEST IN THE STRAITS
A total of 224 non-governmental organizations, the members of Turkey Environment Cocoon, will close Istanbul Strait to traffic on Friday and Sunday with boats and protest the vessels carrying hazardous substances ignoring ''human life.''

Environmentalist organizations from Moldovo and Azerbaijan and five Black Sea littoral countries will expend support to the protest. Increase of national and international support to the protests, which have been reiterated since 1998, show that a public, gradually becoming sensitive on the Straits, is formed.

Maritime Undersecretariat said a total of 5,504 vessels, carrying nearly 82 million tonnes of hazardous substances, passed from the Istanbul Strait.

[02] AKYUZ, REPRESENTATIVE OF TUSIAD IN WASHINGTON D.C.: -''WE ALL SEE NEGATIVITIES, BUT IMPORTANT REFORMS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS SHOULD NOT BE DISREGARDED''

Responding to questions of the A.A correspondent, Akyuz said, ''we all see negativities, but the government has made very important reforms in the last two years. These reforms should not be disregarded. The government cannot resolve long-standing problems all at once.''

Noting that the reform process had been continuing and that all steps should be taken to complete this process, Akyuz said, ''the government should not stop. Circles in the U.S. expect Turkish government to maintain this process. We should not be overcome by languor. We are hopeful.''

Akyuz told the A.A correspondent that Turkey's problems were being discussed together with problems of other countries within framework of the support of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

[03] PRESIDENT SEZER LEAVES FOR ROMANIA (2): -''IN MY OPINION, NOBODY SHOULD MAKE ANY STATEMENT THAT CAN AFFECT JUDICIARY DURING THE TRIAL PROCESS''

Addressing journalists at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for Romania as the official guest of his Romanian counterpart Ion Iliescu, President Sezer said that his visit to Romania would be the first visit on the presidential level between the two countries after two years.

Describing Romania as a friendly regional country having very good relations with Turkey, President Sezer told reporters, ''a great progress has been recorded in bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries in the last decade. There is not any political problem between Turkey and Romania. Economic and commercial relations have accelerated recently. Turkey became Romania's number one commercial partner in the Balkans and the Middle East.''

Sezer said, ''during my visit, I will meet Romanian President Iliescu and Romanian statesmen. We foresee to discuss bilateral and multilateral cooperation issues between our countries. Our talks will focus on opportunities to further improve cooperation particularly in economy and trade. We also want to see the situation of Turkish investments in Romania on the spot.''

Sezer said, ''I believe that we will have beneficial exchange of opinion on regional and international issues concerning our countries as well as the recent developments in the Balkans.''

Sezer said he will participate in Turkish-Romanian Business council meeting together with Iliescu, noting that he would have the opportunity to meet Turkish and Romanian businessmen.

Sezer said he will proceed to Kostanza to meet with Turkish kinsmen following his contacts in Bucharest.

''Turkey attributes great importance to its relations with Romania, to this end, it believes that Romania should integrate with the Europe-Atlantic institutions soon to strengthen stability and confidence atmosphere in the region, and it supports efforts of Romania in this respect,'' Sezer said.

Sezer said he wished the visit would contribute to further improvement of relations between the two countries.

When asked if he has any concerns in having a visit abroad at an atmosphere when closure case of the Virtue Party (FP) is experienced, Sezer said, ''no, I am not concerned. In my opinion, nobody should make any statement that can influence judiciary during the trial process. Judicial decisions are binding decisions for everyone.''

[04] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN: -''NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS DECREASED BY 8 PERCENT IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 2001 COMPARED TO SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR''

Responding to a question of Hakan Tartan, a deputy of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) from Izmir province, Yucelen said, ''a total of 132,398 traffic accidents occurred in the January-April period of 2001. 859 people lost their lives in the accidents while 27,087 others were injured.''

''Number of traffic accidents decreased by 8 percent, death toll fell by 14.87 percent and number of injured people dropped by 10.90 percent compared to figures in the same period of last year,'' he added.

[05] SECURITY FORCES DETAIN 14 MEMBERS OF GREENPEACE PROTESTING OIL COMPANIES

A group of members of Greenpeace Mediterranean Office gathered in front of the Conrad Hotel.

They wanted to make a press release to protest Shell, BP and Chevron oil companies attending the international conference.

They claimed that these companies' oil and natural gas investments would cause pollution.

Meanwhile, three members of the Greenpeace entered the hotel and opened a banner saying, ''oil companies are planning a disaster here''.

Security forces have taken tight measures in and around the hotel, and did not allow Greenpeace members to make a press release.

They detained 14 members of the Greenpeace.

[06] AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SCHUESSEL ARRIVES IN ANKARA

State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel and Ankara Governor Yahya Gur welcomed Chancellor Schuessel and accompanying delegation at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.

Schuessel will first visit the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Republic of Turkey.

Later, he will come together with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

Schuessel will be received by Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi.

He is scheduled to meet with Virtue Party (FP) leader Recai Kutan; State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP); Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP); and State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy.

Schuessel will partake in a dinner to be hosted in his honor by Prime Minister Ecevit.

He will proceed to southeastern province of Sanliurfa on Friday, and visit the Birecik Dam.

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT ADDRESSES DSP GROUP -ECEVIT: ''I HOPE A CERTAIN SOLUTION WILL BE OBTAINED SOON IN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS''

Addressing the group meeting of his party, Ecevit said the parliament came to the end of legislation works, regarded with economic program, following an intense working period. Ecevit congratulated the parliamentarians due to their ''rapid and benefical works.''

Ecevit said all the parties would evaluate the constitutional changes among them, noting that there may be proposals for changes. He said, ''I hope a concrete result would be reached in constitutional changes.''

Noting that the amendments were very important as they were in the direction of the National Program, Ecevit said, ''we should from now on determine a time to discuss the constitutional changes. There are parliamentarians who think of amending articles of the Constitution by working for a few more days from June to July. Also, some think of holding a meeting at the beginning of September for constitutional amendments. This issue will be clarified in the coming days after talks among the parliamentarians.''

Ecevit said, 'implementation of the constitutional changes in a way that includes the views of the parliament will realize a more esteemable Turkey which is more democratic, and contemporary due to human rights. Compromise of all the parties and the parliamentarians in this respect is very important.''

Pointing out that all the parties contributed to the more productive and rapid working of the Parliament, Ecevit said, ''however, if there was not the disciplined works of the DSP, those laws could not be issued, and a compromise could not be provided.''

[08] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION ADOPTS BILLS APPROVING ONE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND TWO AGREEMENTS

The Chairman of the Commission Kamran Inan informed the members abut certain developments in EU and NATO at the meeting, noting that a consensus of opinion has been reached at EU Council Summit in Goteborg for accepting certain candidate countries to the EU between the years 2002-2004. Turkey is not in this group, said Inan and stated that the developments regarding the foundation of Shangai Cooperation Organization is very impontant and it means a new alliance. Inan noted that the Turkish press does not attribute sufficient importance to this formation.

The commission adopted bill that approves the international convention on fight with oil pollution, and later the agrements signed with Slovakia and Portugal about encouragement and protection of reciprocal investments.

[09] TURKEY AND SYRIA SIGN PROTOCOL TO INCREASE RELATIONS IN A NUMBER OF FIELDS

Onal and Syrian Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Mohammed Imady signed the protocol on behalf of their countries.

Onal said that the protocol would be an important point in the economic and commercial relations between the two countries. ''Our relations are not only commercial and economic. The protocol also proposes to incrase scientific, technical, educational and cultural relations,'' Onal continued. ''Now, our first task is to turn these things on the protocol into action.''

Syrian Minister Imady also said he was very satisfied by the point reached by the protocol. ''Developing relations with the Turkish nation is making us extremely happy,'' he said and assured that he would work to implement all the points on the protocol.

Imady also had meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan and State Minister Kemal Dervis.

[10] AYTEKIN STARTS INVESTIGATION ABOUT THE DEATH OF CARETTA CARETTAS

Aytekin stated that he appointed a group of five people headed by Deputy Undersecretary Dr. Osman Niyazi Cakmak to investigate the reason for the death of caretta carettas. The group will work together with the universities in the region and Icel Governor's Office. Aytekin said the group might even use the criminal laboratories of the police to find the reason which caused the death of the turtles.

The results of the investigation will be announced to public.

[11] COUNCIL OF EUROPE ASKS TURKEY AND RUSSIA TO ABOLISH DEATH SENTENCE

Scwimmer spoke at a congress in Strasbourg on Thursday with the purpose of lifting death penalty in all countries. ''I'm expecting and asking Council of Europe members Turkey and Russia to abolish death penalty and sign protocol no.6,'' he said.

Drawing attention to campaings to raise awareness about the death sentence, Scwimmer said they were also investigating the conditions of starting a similar campaign in Turkey.

Protocol no.6 which was formed by the Council of Europe in 1982 is the only international document that has a binding quality regarding capital punishment.

The Council of Europe is also trying to lift death sentence in war situations, and made the abolishment of death sentence a condition to join the Council.

Scwimmer said death sentence cannot be a punishment used by democratic societies.

[12] IZMIR TRADE CHAMBER DELEGATION COMES TO SAMOS ISLAND OF GREECE FOR THIRD TURKEY'S AEGEAN COASTS AND GREECE'S AEGEAN ISLANDS ECONOMIC SUMMIT

The delegation headed by IZTO Chairman Ekrem Demirtas was welcomed by Samos Trade Chamber Chairman Ppandreou Kfanuf. Izmir deputies Isın Celebi, Isılay Saygın, Hakan Tantan and Yusuf Kırkpınar are also in the delegation.

The summit in which issues of trade, tourism, archeoology, media and communication and relations with EU will be taken up, will start on Saturday. Foreign ministers of the two countries will address the closing session of the summit.

The first economic summit took place in Lesbos island of Greece between 21- 22 November 1998 and the second summit was held in Izmir between 2-4 June, 2000.

Nearly 150 businessmen participated in the previous summit and a decision was taken there to hold economic summits every year among the islands of Greece and Turkey every year.

[13] GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY SCHMIDTH SAYS NOBODY HAS THE INTENTION OF PREVENTING TURKS' FROM SPEAKING TURKISH IN GERMANY

Speaking in the conference on EU and Turkish-German relations held by Anadolu University in central Eskisehir province, Schmidt said that Germans and Turks are also citizens of the EU.

Schmidt said that just like a German citizen can be muslim, a muslim can be a German citizen, adding that many Turkish citizens are registered into the population in Germany. ''Many radio channels broadcast in Turkish language in Germany,'' he stressed.

Noting that the German President also expects Turkish people to learn German, Schmidt said that those who live in Germany and who don't know German language constitutes a problem.

Schmidt said that Germans want Turks living in Germany to be educated well, adding that the co-existance of different cultures in one country in peace carries out importance, adding that this is also the basic philosophy of the EU.

''All peoples benefit from basic rights and freedoms irrespective of their different languages, religion, race, colour, gender and political views,'' he said, adding that this is a basic principle not only for Turkey, but also for all EU countries.

[14] PRESIDENT SEZER AND ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ILIESCU CHAIR INTERDELEGATIONARY MEETINGS AND HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE

After meeting tete-a-tete, President Sezer and Romanian President Iliescu also chaired the interdelgationary meetings. Later, they held a joint news conference.

Sezer noted that his meetings with Iliescu have been very productive, adding that ''we saw that the relations between the two countries in our region constituted an example for others.''

''We have discussed the positive developments between our countries in the commercial and economic fields. We focused on the need to further improve our multidimensional economic cooperation and to further increase the bilateral trade volume which reached one billion dollars. We also took up problems related to the individual rights of citizens. We stressed with Mr. Iliescu that the protection of and respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and international borders of Macedonia carries out importance for the peace and stability in the region. We also stated that the problems in this country can be solved through political dialogue process.''

Sezer said that they also focused on the importance of regional and international cooperation, and assessed that the regional cooperation is an important step for integration through European institutions, adding that they also focused on the need of the two countries to share their experiences in the full membership process and to make cooperation.

''We also stressed that Turkey and Romania have to focus on concrete projects within the scope of regional institutions particularly the Black Sea Economic Cooperation,'' Sezer said and noted that he had also the opportunity to reiterate Turkey's support to Romania's membership to NATO.

Sezer said that he invited Iliescu to an official visit to Turkey, adding that he will be honoured to have him in Turkey.

Romanian President Ion Iliescu said he was very pleased about Sezer's visit to his country. Drawing attention to the traditional relations between Turkey and Romania, Iliescu said these relations have been very stable. The Romanian president said the present and future of the bilateral relations were discussed during the meetings.

The recent developments in Macedonia and Kosovo, regional cooperation, cooperation between Turkey and Romania in the international field, and integration with European and European Atlantic organizations were other topics that were debated. ''There is no competition between Turkey and Romania regarding their EU membership. We talked about cooperating in this field,'' he stated.

The Romanian president also thanked Turkey for it support for Romania's NATO membership.

Speaking about economic cooperation between the two countries, Iliescu said the trade volume between Turkey and Romania has been increasing in the recent years and nearing the one billion U.S. dollar target which was set up eight years ago. He indicated that the businessmen of the two countries could also make investments in the third countries.

Illegal immigration, drug smuggling, terrorism, organized crime, fight against corruption and money laundering were other topics that were raised between Sezer and Iliescu. The Romanian president said the two countries had same or similar approaches in all the fields that were covered.

Answering the questions of reporters, Sezer said ''We support Macedonia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We want a solution to be brought to Macedonian problem through peaceful ways. Therefore, all groups which don't use violence should be in a dialogue with the state. Mr. Iliescu also agreed with these thoughts.''

Commenting on the same question, Iliescu said there was a need for the international community's support to continue the political dialogue in Macedonia. ''Representatives of all sides should get together to continue the dialogue. All sides should respect Macedonia's territorial integrity and sovereignty,'' he said.

When asked if the Romanian government was planning to offer any kind of help to the Turkish businessmen who were going to participate in the privatization efforts in Romania, Iliescu said a bill was presented to the Romanian parliament which was proposing to offer help to investments over one million U.S. dollars. He said the government was also planning to cut down the red tape to help the investors.

Answering another question, Sezer said Turkey didn't discriminate between Romania and Bulgaria and wanted both countries to join the NATO at the same time.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer later attended the lunch hosted by Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase. The technical dimensions of the issues taken up by Sezer and Romanian President Iliescu were discussed in the lunch in which State Minister Tunca Toskay, Foreign Ministry Undersecertary Faruk Logoglu, Turkish Ambassador to Romanian Omer Zeytinoglu and other officials also participated.

[15] PREMIER ECEVIT HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE WITH AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SCHUSSEL -ECEVIT SAYS THEY DISCUSSED ALL IMPORTANT WORLD PROBLEMS WITH SCHUSSEL

Holding a joint news conference with Schussel, who came to Turkey the same day for an official visit, Ecevit said that they had a very beneficial meeting with Schussel, the Chancellor of Austria, the close friend of Turkey and his friends the same day.

Ecevit stated that there are multidimensional relations between Turkey and Austria, adding that Austrians are interested in certain important projects in Turkey.

''Meanwhile, Austrians are closely interested in energy power station tenders in Turkey, adding that we are very pleased with it. The installation in Birecik has almost finished, I suppose Mr. Chancellor will visit Birecik on Friday,'' Ecevit said.

Upon questions of journalists asking if Schussel has given a message to him about the closure case of the Virtue Party (FP), Ecevit said that ''we didn't discuss the issue in our meeting with Austrian Chancellor, yet the issue of constitutional amendment has come to the agenda. One of the constitutional amendment proposals is the provision that will make difficult the party closures... I expressed my wish that the case process about FP to be delayed, certainly we don't have any authority on the issue. This was not accepted by the Court. We respect this decision.''

When an Austrian journalist asked Turkey's expectation from Austria regarding EU membership, Ecevit said that Austria welcomed the membership application of Turkey to the EU, and added that he is grateful to Austria.

''We trust that when Turkey fulfils the necessary criteria, Austria would support us regarding full membership,'' Ecevit said.

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