Statement By The Spokesman Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs In Response To Questions On the Militarization of the Eastern Aegean Islands July 9, 1998 The Statement Of Mr. Sermet Atacanlı, The Deputy Spokesman Of The Foreign Ministry In Response To a Question July 13,1998 A Strategy For Developing Relations Between Turkey And The European Union Proposals of Turkey July 17, 1998 Preface Written By;Mr. Ismail Cem For The Book "Turkey and The World " Presented To The Press July 23, 1998 Press Statement on Turkey’s Response To The EU’s European Strategy For Turkey July 23, 1998 The Statement Issued By The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs On The Judgment Given By The European Court Of Human Rights 30 July, 1998
  1. Press & Information
  2. Press Releases & Statements
  3. 1998
  4. July
  5. Press Statement on Turkey’s Response To The EU’s European Strategy For Turkey July 23, 1998
Press Statement on Turkey’s Response To The EU’s European Strategy For Turkey July 23, 1998

The document prepared with the contribution of all our relevant institutions under the chairmanship of State Minister Şükrü Sina Gürel, with a view to developing Turkey-EU relations, has been approved by the Council of Ministers and transmitted to the Austrian Presidency-in-Office of the EU Council and to the EU Commission.

Our proposals contained in the paper cover a multitude of areas ranging from harmonisation of legislation under the Customs Union to cooperation in justice and home affairs and aim at deepening the integration between the Parties with a view to developing our relations with the EU in the direction of our full membership goal. Our proposals have been elaborated within the framework of the Government Statement dated 14 December 1997 on Turkey-EU relations.

It will be remembered that the “European Strategy for Turkey” to prepare Turkey for accession by bringing it closer to the Union in every field had been adopted by the EU Commission on 4 March 1998. The “Strategy”, which was endorsed by the EU leaders at the Cardiff Summit held on 15-16 June 1998, where it was also decided that it could be enriched with possible proposals from Turkey, was formally handed over to the Turkish Side on the occasion of the Turkey-EU Association Committee meeting held on 30 June 1998. The document which we have prepared and transmitted to the European Union constitutes our response to the Commission’s “European Strategy for Turkey”.

Turkey is prepared to begin technical negotiations regarding the elements contained in the document. We hope that such negotiations may be embarked upon as soon as possible and that concrete developments can be achieved quickly thanks to a constructive attitude from both Parties.

On the other hand, it is evident that the implementation of the measures to improve Turkey-EU relations depends on the availability of the financial resources which they require. The Commission itself drew attention to this point in its “European Strategy for Turkey”. We know that the Commission is looking for a solution to the problems encountered in obtaining these resources and hope that its efforts will yield positive results.