Bulletin de liaison et d'information - Institut kurde de Paris

Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Baszn Özeti
ment's approach since the meeting.
Recalling that bis party had been
emphasizing the failure of military
acllon alone in solving the issue,
Ecevit said, "Security and development
must be pursued simultaneously."
He.proposed immediate implementation
of land refonn in order to
uproot the feudal system still prevailing
in Turkey's southeastern region.
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Dutch, French Eye
Turkey-EU Bid
Thursday, April 3, 1997 5:32 pm EST
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- The Dutch and French
foreign ministers were in Ankara Thursday to discuss
Turkey's so-far frustrated bid to join the European
Union.
Both French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette and
the Netherlands' Hans van Mierlo recently declared
their intentions of bringing Turkey closer to EU ranks.
"There was concern in Turkey towards Europe's
attitude (to Turkey's EU membership)," De Charette
told reporters.
Last month, some EU Christian Democrat leaders
called Turkey's membership application "not
acceptable. "
"We are here to confirm, for the Turkish people, that
France(éonsiders, very clearly and firmly, that Turkey's
calling is to join the EU," the French minister said.
De Charette stressed thatpotential EUmembers must
have. democratic institutions, a developed economy,
minority rights and no problems with neighboring
countries.
"But these criteria are valid for all candidates,
including the countries of central and eastern Europe,"
he said. .
-Turkey's Kurdish problem, poor human rights record
and tense relations with neighboring Greece are issues
complicating its bid for EU membership.
,An associate member of the EU since 1963, Turkey feels
.it is being pushed aside in Europe in favor of former
Eastern-bloc countries. .
Van Mierlo's country currently holds the EU
'-.. ..
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