Brussels, 24/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - The 50th meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee between the EU and Turkey took place on 16-17 June in Istanbul under the joint chairmanship of Joost Lagendijk and Aydin Dumanoglu. In a joint declaration published after the meeting, the two joint chairmen underlined that the recent developments on the regional and international scene required rapprochement between the EU and Turkey. They are encouraging the Turkish government to continue on the road of reform and its effective application. They welcome the creation at the Turkish Grand National Assembly of a committee in charge of harmonising Turkish legislation with Community law. The are calling on the Union institutions, Member States and Turkish authorities to study to possibility of launching an information campaign to prepare public opinion in the EU and Turkey to open accession negotiations. This campaign should raise public awareness about the advantages and obligations resulting from EU membership. The two join chairmen welcomed the different reforms adopted by Turkey over recent months, as well as its participation at COSAC and the European Convention. They are calling on the Turkish authorities to increase their efforts to eradicate torture and fight against organised crime and illegal immigration. They are encouraging Turkey to sign and ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. They welcome the progress in cooperation between Turkey and Greece, as well as the attitude adopted by Turkey on the Cypriot question. They acknowledge the financial and economic problems experienced by Turkey as a result of the situation in Iraq for over ten years and call on Turkey and the EU to strengthen their cooperation in the framework of reconstruction in Iraq.