Ankara, 15/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, the Turkish Foreign Ministry states that, with the Commission's presentation of the document of the Accession Partnership for Turkey, an important step has been taken in Turkey's accession process to the European Union. It adds that Turkey "will naturally give due consideration also to the views and evaluations of the EU while preparing its National Programme". Turkey makes a point of setting out the context of its efforts at meeting the Copenhagen criteria, based on the Turkish Constitution and the principles of "equality of citizens" within the Republic and the "secular and unitary nature of our State". What is "most important, both for Turkey and the EU, is to share the same goal and to work together towards that goal". The Ministry then refers to the conclusions of the European Council of Helsinki and later stances of both the Turkish ad EU authorities.
The press release reaffirms that Turkey "has never accepted any linkage between the efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus issue and its candidacy to the EU. The Cyprus issue is a subject between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus on the island. The observations contained in the Accession Partnership document concerning the Cyprus issue will be taken into account by Turkey to the extent that they are compatible with this basic attitude. Turkey, in this context, will continue to consider itself to be committed only to the Helsinki European Council Conclusions and the relevant correspondence and discussions between Turkey and the EU concerning the acceptance of those Conclusions".