Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-12-15

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[01] AA News

15 December 1999 Wednesday

[02] TURKEY-PRESS SCAN

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

DEMIREL: WE CAN NOT IGNORE FUNDAMENTALISM FOR EU
When asked if full membership process to European Union (EU) can effect Turkey's struggle against fundamentalism, President Suleyman Demirel said, ''Turkey, in no way, can ignore these threats. Nobody can tell Turkey not to struggle against these threats.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

Meanwhile, Lithuanian scientists said they were amazed because of the prediction of their counterpart that there will be a quake in Istanbul. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said the officials were warned by taking into consideration the views that there will be a quake in Istanbul between December 14 and 17.

COMMANDERS CONGRATULATE CEM
Attitude of the military flank related with Turkey's formal candidacy to European Union (EU), is positive. Commanders called Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the phone and congratulated him upon the result Turkey obtained.

SABAH (LIBERAL)

STRANGE PREDICTION OF THE LITHUANIAN
Lithuanian physicist said there will be a quake in Marmara between December 14 and 17 and stirred Turkey. The physicist conveyed his allegations to Altan Karamanoglu, Turkey's Ambassador. Karamanoglu sent this information to Foreign Ministry, and Foreign Ministry conveyed it to Interior Ministry. Everything got confused when the governors warned people. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, while speaking about the prediction, said, ''scientists said there is nothing to feel concern.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

ECHR decided that Greece violated Article 9 of European Convention on Human Rights related with freedom of thought and conscience by preventing Serif to act as Mufti and trying him in the court with the pretext that he provoked people. EHRC then sentenced Greece to pay Ibrahim Serif a compensation of 2.7 million drachmas.

RECIPROCAL REFUSAL IN TALKS
Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) did not accept the conditions brought by Glafcos Clerides, leader of the Greek Cypriot side. Denktas accepted second tour of Cyprus summit conditionally. Clerides is in an effort to add an article to the draft resolution which will be discussed by the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. The article claims that ''Cyprus has one state, one sovereignty, one citizenship, and one internatonal personality.''

Denktas said he will not attend the talks if this article is included in the resolution. In the meantime, Papapetru, who acts as the Spokesman of Clerides, said they will withdraw from the talks if the article is not included in the resolution.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

EU DISCUSSION IN ANAP
Turkey's formal candidacy to European Union (EU), caused ''concession'' discussions in the Motherland Party (ANAP). Kamran Inan said Turkey gave concessions on Cyprus and the Aegean with the acceptance of the candidacy. Meanwhile, Mesut Yilmaz, leader of ANAP, refused the allegations for ''concession'' and said ''any country that has conflicts with its neighbours, cannot be a member of the EU. We have five years in front of us. We will sit and negotiate it.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

COUNTDOWN STARTS IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Countdown started in Mersin-Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which is in the agenda of Turkey for nearly 30 years. The company, which will undertake the construction of the power plant, will be revealed within this month. Leaders of three parties, which form coalition government, gave greenlight to the construction of the power plant.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

ORAL IN BERLIN FOR G-20
Sumer Oral, Finance Minister, left for Berlin, Germany, to participate in ''finance ministers meeting'' of G-20. Speaking before his departure, Oral said the group, which is known as G-7, has turned into G-20. He said the G- 20 group was a platform disclosing views related with finance crises. Gazi Ercel, Central Bank Governor, and Selcuk Demiralp, Treasury Undersecratary, accompany Oral.

[03] TURKISH LANGUAGE AND CIVILIZATION DEPARTMENT TO BE OPENED IN ATHENS UNIVERSITY

Prof. Dr. Kemal Alemdaroglu, the Rector of Istanbul University who was paying a visit to Greece to improve the scientific cooperation between two countries, told A.A correspondent on Tuesday that they signed a cooperation agreement with Athens University and Athens Technical University.

Turkish Language, Culture, Literature, and Civilization Department will be opened in Athens University within the framework of the agreement, Alemdaroglu said.

Alemdaroglu drew the attention that there is a Greek Language and Literature Department in Istanbul University for many years.

He had met with the rectors of 17 universities in Greece, Alemdaroglu stated.

Alemdaroglu stressed that he saw that all the rectors share the similar ideas for improving the scientific cooperation between two countries.

The joint scientific researches will aim at quake, forest fire, traffic accidents and environmental problems; Alemdaroglu added.

[04] TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS ACCEPTS RESUMPTION OF TALKS IN JANUARY

The officials said that the proximity talks can be held in Geneva, Vienna, or New York.

The resumption of second tour proximity talks are connected to the content of the draft resolution regarding Cyprus which will be discussed by the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday; the officals noted.

The Greek Cypriot side wanted the inclusion of an article which says that Cyprus is a single state, a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and has a single international identity in the draft resolution.

Denktas staged a press conference following his meeting with Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of United Nations (U.N).

If this article is included in the draft resolution, then they will not participate in the second tour talks; Denktas noted.

They continue to preserve the confederation thesis in the first tour talks, Denktas stated.

Denktas drew the attention that the two states in Cyprus can be united under the auspices of the European Union (EU).

Denktas listed the conditions of this unification as the exchange of property, compensation, the respect to the ownership rights of both sides, the continuation of Turkey's guarantorship in Cyprus, and the maintenance of the Turkish-Greek balance.

[05] CYPRUS-U.N. - U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL URGES THE SIDES TO CONTINUE TALKS

Council members discussed Cyprus question on Tuesday, and were briefed by Alvaro de Soto, the U.N. Cyprus Representative of Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Jeremony Greenstock, Chairman of the Council, said he appreciated the determination of the sides in participating in the proximity talks. Greenstock expressed hope that talks will continue at the beginning of next year.

Stressing the importance of the process started on Cyprus, Greenstock said they supported the efforts of Secretary General and Cyprus representative.

Council Chairman said the draft resolution, which will extend the mandate of the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months, will be voted on Wednesday.

Diplomatic sources told A.A correspondent that 11th paragraph, which Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) opposes, was not included in the draft resolution.

Rauf Denktas, President of TRNC, told a news conference that they would not attend second tour of talks if the paragraph in question was included in the draft resolution.

The 11th paragraph claims that there is ''one state, one sovereignty, one citizenship, and one international personality in Cyprus.''

[06] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE SPOKESMAN FOLEY SAYS THEY WILL WELCOME RESUMPTION OF PROXIMITY TALKS REGARDING CYPRUS

Staging a press conference, Foley noted that he heard the news saying that Rauf Denktas, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Glafcos Clerides, the leader of the Greek Cypriot side, will come together once more.

They welcome the news saying that the proximity talks will resume; Foley stated.

Foley added that he has not received any information about the date of the following proximity talks.

[07] PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''I CONSIDER THE WORDS OF LIPPONEN SERIOUSLY, I DON'T CONSIDER THE WORDS OF SIMITIS SERIOUSLY''

Ecevit said, ''I consider the words of Lipponen seriously, not the words of Simitis.''

When asked if Lipponen sent him the letter as the Term President or as the Prime Minister, Ecevit said, ''I am sure that it was a note that was written that evening after consulting with several influential members of the EU. In the note they wanted us to evaluate the situation under the light of those statements. We did so.''

[08] TURKEY GIVES PLATE OF GRATITUTE TO COE

Alev Kilic, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the COE, submitted the plate to Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary General of the COE which played an efficent role in the relief efforts following the quake disasters.

The European Social Development Fund, an organization within the framework of COE, had decided to grant Turkey 300 million Euro loan for the reconstruction of the quake zone following the Marmara quake.

The Fund is expected to increase the amount of the loan to 500 million Euro following the Duzce quake.

[09] 300 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS CREDIT TO TURKEY FOR CLEAN ENERGY

Two electric power plants will be constructed with the 300 million U.S. dollars loan which the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Company (OPIC) will extend. The projects will be materialized by InterGen and ENKA group.

The U.S. finace sources said Turkey promoted foreign investmens aiming to decrease domestic borrowing. International Monetary Fund (IMF) had extended 1.2 billion U.S. dollars credit to Turkey a short while ago within this context.

[10] NATO NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL MEETINGS START

The main topics of the agenda will European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), and determination of the attitude that will be adopted against Moscow within the framework of the negative developments in Chechnya.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem represents Turkey during the meetings.

The Alliance members will evaluate the first step of the European Union (EU) leaders to form an ESDI in which EU member countries will hold the control mechanism. The alliance members are expected to announce their views against this development.

NATO sources in their statements issued ahead of the meetings, claimed that the Council will react positively to the Helsinki resolution. Yet, it was stressed that cautious approaches of the U.S. and Turkey point out that this reaction may incude ''drawbacks and warnings.''

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, in a statement he issued in Helsinki, reflected the displeasure Ankara felt over this initiative, and noted that, ''we will not let our soldiers to be used according to the decisions that will be taken in institutions in which Turkey is not included.'' Ecevit said ''we will continue to prevent this in NATO.''

Ecevit stressed that, ''either Turkey is included in decision process fully, or the ones who take this decision can not use NATO as they want.''

[11] IMF TO GIVE 1.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS LOAN TO TURKEY IN 2000

High-level economy officials told the A.A correspondent that the remaining 2.5 billion U.S. dollars part of the loan would be extended in 2001 and 2002.

Officials said the four billion U.S. dollars loan would be given to Turkey in parts in every quarter after the approval of the IMF officials who would pay visit to Turkey once in every three months for control.

Officials said the IMF loan would have no repayment for three years and have a nearly seven percent interest rate.

Officials stressed that the IMF loan would increase Turkey's foreign exchange reserves but it would not be used in direct financing of domestic borrowing.

Economy officials said Turkey had to consider the IMF loan as a package not as an aid, adding that the amount of source obtained from abroad would reach 10 billion U.S. dollars together with three billion U.S. dollars loan of the World Bank and loans of Japan with proper conditions.

Meanwhile, officials said the ''Letter of Intention'' sent by Turkey to the IMF was a 17-page document including 65 articles and details of economic policy.

Officials said the letter, which was expected to be discussed and approved by the IMF Board between December 21-22, was one of the most detailed letters sent by Turkey.

Officials emphasized that this comprehensive letter of intention indicated Turkey's determination.

[12] ''TURKISH-EU RELATIONS'' PANEL DISCUSSION

Addressing the opening of a panel discussion titled ''Turkish-EU Relations After Helsinki Summit'', Demirel said Helsinki Summit has a historic importance for Europe as well as Turkey. Demirel said, ''the EU, by granting formal candidacy status to Turkey, proved its faithfulness to democratic integrated Europe project which regarded cultural differences as source of richness.''

Demirel said a new period has started in the history of Europe, and noted that this period will be different from the past.

Demirel said Turkey was not only a big European state, but also a world state playing role in peace, welfare, and stability of a wide geography.

President Demirel said Turkey's goal was to catch up with the EU standards as it was in the past. ''We should get ready to harmonize with Maastrich criteria and European Monetary Union as well as Copenhagen criteria.

Recalling that Turkish-EU Association staged a similar meeting following Cardiff Summit, Demirel said, ''I remember our feelings at those times. We were in a deep disappointment caused by the resolutions of EU summit held in December 1997 bringing discrimination to Turkey.''

''In the speech I made at that meeting I said, 'the discrimination made against Turkey with the decisions of Luxembourg summit offended Turkish people. Required reaction has been shown to this discrimination with a government statement titled December 14, 1997. Turkey was not left alone in its reaction. Our European friends and U.S. shared the view that we had been treated unjustly. Unfortunate bottlenecks in Turkish-EU relations is not a development that is wanted in a period when EU's future structure is shapened. Nevertheless Turkey is a big state.''

Demirel said in Helsinki Summit, a historical mistake, which had been made two years ago, was corrected, and noted that this was a success.

[13] PANEL DISCUSSION ON TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - STATE MINISTER IRTEMCELIK: ''CYPRUS MEANS THE WILL TO CLAIM RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF TURKISH NATION''

Speaking in the opening of the panel discussion on ''Turkey-EU Relations After Helsinki Summit'' organized by the Turkey-EU Association, Irtemcelik stated that Turkey has a promising future, adding he does not want to speak much on the debate about the claims of ''conditional candidacy'' of Turkey to the EU.

The 12th paragraph of Helsinki Final Declaration is about Turkey, said Irtemcelik and added that there is no problem about the paragraph.

Irtemcelik pointed out that there are two more paragraphs that concern Turkey and these are 4th and 9th paragraphs, adding that if Turkey rejects the candidacy proposal, these two paragraphs will remain because they reflect the EU point of view about the issues.

Describing the period after Helsinki summit as very ''glittering,'' Irtemcelik stated that ''this shouldn't be a mirage. Turkey started to walk on a path to be better and one has to run and sweat on this path.''

Irtemcelik stated that when the objective standarts of the EU are taken into account, the things that must be done by Turkey are easily seen, adding Turkey has to keep its will power at a high level, accept its tiredness on the way to EU and get pleasure from this tiredness.

Calling on the EU, Irtemcelik stated that ''there is a Luxembourg experience behind us and Turkey is not a country to be pushed and shoved. We expect the EU to fulfil the commitments it has undertaken in an honest way. The reverse will poison our relations again and cause troubles which can't be calculated from today.''

Irtemcelik said that he wants to see the olive branch Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis sent to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit also in the implementation of Helsinki summit declaration.

A change in quality of Turkish-Greek relations has to come true said Irtemcelik and noted that Greece shouldn't bring obstacles in EU institutions.

Irtemcelik said that he is optimistic about the future, adding Turkey needs to be organized well and get a calendar.

''There are important homeworks for all of us. When we wake up in the morning we must say to ourselves that 'I am the citizen of a country which is candidate to the EU.' This will be a very beautiful start,'' he ended.

[14] HOMBACH, SPECIAL COORDINATOR OF STABILITY PACT, ARRIVES IN ANKARA

Developments related with Stability Pact will be reviewed. The Stability Pact was adopted during Foreign Ministers meeting in Koln on June 10, 1999 and implemented in a summit in Sarajevo at the end of July.

Hombach is scheduled to be received by President Suleyman Demirel, and meet with government officials and private sector representatives.

A statement of the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the Stability Pact which was adopted in the Foreign Ministers' meeting in Cologne on June 10, 1999 will be revised during the official visit of Hombach.

The statement said FM officials will draw the attention of Hombach to Turkey's ideas and expectations from the implementation of the Stability Pact during the visit.

The statement stressed that Turkey believes that the Stability Pact is a significant and comprehensive step taken to democratize and restructure the region and overcome the security problems in the Balkans.

The Stability Pact consists of 15 European Union countries; nine regional countries including Turkey and Greece; the U.S.; Russia; Japan; Canada; and 20 international organizations.

[15] PANEL DISCUSSION ON TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - PRESIDENT DEMIREL:''WE MUST TAKE STEPS DUE TO A CALENDAR''

Speaking in the panel discussion on ''Turkey-EU relations,'' President Demirel said that Turkey must continue the reform process she started in all fields with the aim of joining the EU.

''From now on, we will also have the power to determine the time of our being the full member of EU,'' said Demirel, stressing that Turkey is the only country among candidate countries which has customs union with the EU and this will give benefits to Turkey in her way to the EU.

''EU foresees a state structure which takes decisions close to the citizens. This is also our target. The steps we will take regarding political criteria are also known. We have to improve our human rights standarts. Turkey has the will to abide by those criteria. Abiding by these criteria is to the benefit of the Turkish nation, it is not for pleasing others,'' he said.

Demirel pointed out that definite and binding provisions were not included in the paragraphs of Helsinki Final Declaration which are composed of certain controversial elements that concern Turkey. Demirel noted that French President Jacques Chirac told him that ''Turkey was declared as a candidate country without any condition.''

Referring to the Cyprus issue, President Demirel said that the last sentence of the concerned paragraph provided the necessary balance, but there is a political reality.

Demirel said that proximity talks started in New York about Cyprus issue, adding if no solution is found to the problem, the accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU will mean that EU will import a great problem to its structure.

''We have no doubt that common sense will prevail also this time and everybody will understand our right cause,'' said Demirel adding Turkey will continue to explain its right cause about Cyprus to everybody as she is authorized to do so.

''EU didn't accept the wish of Greece who wanted to include the date 2000 for applying to the International Court of Justice. EU decided to take up this issue again in 2004. We are good willing and we wish the peace to win, '' Demirel said.

Helsinki resolution foresees solution of problems through peaceful means and if this does not happen, it says that the concerned sides can apply to the International Court of Justice to solve their disputes, said Demirel.

''This should not be forgotten that even for applying to the Court, the two countries have to decide on this issue together,'' he said.

The equal sovereignty of two sides on Cyprus is the key of the solution, he stressed and added that Turkey will join the EU as soon as possible and take its place among the first 10 countries of the world.

[16] CREDIT AGREEMENTS ON AFSIN-ELBISTAN B THERMIC STATION SIGNED

Cumhur Ersumer, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said that the first of the adaptation laws was accepted by the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission the same day.

''A new Ataturk Dam,'' will come true by this signing ceremony, Ersumer said, adding the government is also resolved about the construction of a nuclear power plant.

A contract was signed with the consortium of MHI-BABCOCK-ENKA-GAMA-TEKFEN- TOKAR-MC for the construction of Afsin-Elbistan Thermic Station on August 6, 1998.

All of units of the station will be completed in five years and it will produce 9 billion kilowatthours of electricity annually. A credit worth of 1,62 billion dollars has been provided from five countries for the station.

[17] NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL MEETINGS - FM CEM:''WE INSIST ON OUR ATTITUDE ABOUT ESDI''

''From now on, EU will say that Turkey is part of its security concerns. This is a big change. It was decided at Helsinki that the European border didn't pass from Aegean and the Balkans. We are not at the opposite side of the border anymore, we are situated in the same place together,'' Cem said.

Cem noted that the NATO meetings reflect the views of Turkey about Chechnya and he said that this problem would have very serious and negative consequences on South Caucasia and Central Asia.

''First of all NATO has to support Georgia and be sensitive about the security of Azerbaijan and Armenia. NATO has to be more active,'' he said.

[18] FINNISH PM LIPPONEN SAYS HE SENT THE LETTER TO PM ECEVIT AS EU TERM PRESIDENT

Lipponen told the European Parliament session that ''when the EU Council gave its decision about Turkey, contacts started with this country. I also sent a letter to Prime Minister Ecevit by the title of EU Term President. And the EU delegation including Javier Solana and Gunther Verheguen explained the details of the EU decisionsto Turkish officials.''

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis had claimed in Athens that Lipponen sent the letter not as the EU term president but as the prime minister of Finland.

[19] NAC FINAL DECLARATION PUBLISHED - TURKEY REACHES ITS GOAL ABOUT ESDI

The declaration reminded the strategical decisions taken at NATO summit in Washington and stressed the importance attributed to participation of all European NATO allies regarding the issue of ESDI.

[20] NAC FINAL DECLARATION PUBLISHED

The declaration noted that the development of ESDI will strengthen NATO and it is aimed to strengthen the European flank of the Alliance.

The declaration also gave the message that initiatives which will contribute to security of the Alliance will be supported within the ''structure of NATO.''

Developments about ESDI are taken within the structure of NATO and these developments will be supported within the framework of the relations between NATO and West European Union (WEU).

The statement pointed out that EU can only benefit from NATO means and capacities by the unanimous decision of NATO members for each time.

NATO Council said that it noted the decisions taken by EU about ESDI, adding ''we are ready to determine the methods aiming at usage of NATO means and capacities by EU. The participation of non-EU and European NATO countries to military operations to be directed by EU, will increase the effectiveness of these operations and strengthen the Alliance's European flank.''

Experts in Brussels said that a group of EU countries led by France wished the declaration to ''welcome with pleasure'' the decision of the EU about ESDI at Helsinki, but the attitude of Turkey prevented that.

NATO statement is described as a warning message to EU.

[21] NAC FINAL DECLARATION PUBLISHED - WARNING TO RUSSIA ABOUT CHECHNYA

NATO Council condemned the threats of Russia to civilians in Chechnya while it recognized the right of Russia to protect its territorial integrity and protect its citizens from anarchy and terrorism, also comdemning all kinds of terrorism.

The communique reminded that the attitude of Russia towards the civilian people in Chechnya does not abide by the principles of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It also invited Russia to be moderate, not to use force against civilians, to respect human rights and to cooperate with international humanitarian aid institutions.

NAC also requested Russia to refrain from such approaches which will further endanger the security and stability in Caucasus.

Russia, which was requested to find ways for a political solution, was also invited to set up dialogue with Chechen administrators.

[22] NAC FINAL DECLARATION PUBLISHED - ''TERRORISM IS A GREAT THREAT''

The NATO Council composed of the foreign ministers of NATO countries, confirmed that it condemns terrorism, stressing that it is resolved to struggle against this epidemic threat.

The Final Communique also focused on the issue of peace and stability in the Balkans and noted that a humanitarian disaster was prevented by the Alliance's air operation in Kosovo.

NATO Council stressed its determination to launch efforts for a multi- ethnical and democratic Kosovo and noted that there are many more steps that must be taken in Kosovo.

[23] EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS' DECISION ON KOMOTINI'S MUFTI SERIF - FM:''WE HOPE THE DECISION TO END NEGATIVE PRACTICES AGAINST TURKISH MINORITY IN WESTERN THRACE''

A Foreign Ministry statement reminded that the European Court unanimously decided that Greece violated Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights which is related to the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The statement pointed out that Serif applied to the European Commission of Human Rights on 29 September 1997 after exhausting all the internal remedies concerning the case brought against him by Greek authorities accusing him of ''having usurped the functions of a mufti and having publicly worn the uniform of such a mufti without having the right to do so.''

Following the entry into force of Protocol No. 11 to the Convention on 1 November 1998 and in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 § 2 thereof, the case was transferred to the European Court of Human Rights. The Court discussed the application on January 26, 1999 and found the application admissable.

The Court later discussed the merits of the case and took its decision yesterday, the statement noted, stressing that the right of the Turkish moslem minority of Western Thrace to elect their religious leaders; which was foreseen to them by Athens Agreement of 1913 and taken under guarantee by Lausanne Treaty of 1923; has been violated since 1990.

Foreign Ministry added that Turkey hopes and expects this decision also to make Greece review its negative attitude towards Mehmet Emin Aga, the Mufti of Xanthi, who was sentenced to more than 100 months of imprisonment.

[24] PANEL DISCUSSION ON TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - EU'S REPRESENTATIVE TO TURKEY FOGG SAYS TURKEY NEEDS A WELL ORGANIZED MECHANISM

Speaking in the panel discussion on ''Turkey-EU relations,'' Fogg said that a successful EU summit was held in Helsinki.

Turkey, which is one of the candidate countries, has the opportunity now to set up a direct dialogue with EU both at bilateral and multilateral level, Fogg said.

Fogg stressed that Turkey can explain her views in all organs of the EU like the European Parliament (EP) from now on.

Reminding that the Copanhagen criteria have three dimensions, Fogg said that a healthy debate continues in Turkey in the first dimension of these criteria which is human rights and democracy. Turkish economy should adapt the macro economic stability atmosphere within the second dimension which is economy, she said. The last dimension which is adaptation of the EU law has been ignored by Turkey till today, she added.

Turkey should launch efforts to be a full member, she said, adding the government has to prepare a strategy plan for the necessary reforms.

Bjorn Ekblom, the Finnish Ambassador to Turkey said in his part that the Helsinki summit opened a new dimension in Turkey-EU relations.

[25] PANEL DISCUSSION ON TURKEY-EU RELATIONS - FM DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY OZULKER: ''TURKEY MUST DO HER HOMEWORK WELL''

Speaking in the panel discussion on Turkey-EU relations, Ozulker said that Turkey must improve herself to join the EU, give up complaining and look at her future.

If Turkey becomes a full member, she will have to adapt western standarts in her democracy, he said; adding if this comes true she won't face any ''military intervention'' in the future.

The decision taken at Helsinki summit about Turkey is a very important one and it shouldn't be rejected, he said adding one must be constructive about the decisions taken there.

Responding to criticisms made after the recognition of Turkey as a EU candidate country, Ozulker said ''what kind of a Cyprus is that which has not been sold for 27 years although it was always stated so?''

Ozulker said that a hard struggle about the text of Helsinki summit was witnessed during the negotiations between Turkey and Greece.

[26] G-20 MEETING - FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: ''TURKEY WILL HAVE A SAY IN DECISIONS TO BE TAKEN IN INTERNATIONAL FIELD BY HER MEMBERSHIP TO G-20''

Oral said that countries which are accepted as members to G-20 are economic leaders in their regions, adding Turkey has also been accepted to this formation.

Oral, who will represent Turkey in G-20 meetings, held a press briefing the same day.

During IMF-World Bank meetings in September, G-7 group decided to form a new basis under the title of G-20, said Oral, reminding that a meeting of G- 20 group took place in Canada last month at the level of undersecretaries.

Oral said the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors will start this evening by the dinner and continue till 16.00 on Thursday.

Recalling that G-20 is not a decision-making body, Oral said this institution aims at cooperation and exchange of views to prevent economic crisis in the future.

Turkey has to decrease its inflation rate and public defecits, he said adding Turkey aims at carrying out a programme to diminish its public deficits and set up the public finance balances permanently.

The foreign exchange and monetary policy should be carried out together with a public finance policy in Turkey, he said.

Responding to a question, Oral said that the wages of civil servants will be higher than the increase in inflation rate in 2000 by a new mechanism put in the budget.

[27] Anadolu Ajansı

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