04.02.2014 Ankara
The Turkey – EU Joint Consultation Committee delegation visited TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek at his office and consulted with him in regards to the work of the Committee. TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu drawing attention to the fact that there were significant changes to legislature during Çiçek tenure as the Minister of justice and thanked him for his contributions to the process.
Taking part in the
delegation in addition to TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu were TESK President Bendevi Palandöken, ,
TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar, Türk-İş Genel President Ergün Atalay, Hak-İş
Genel President Mahmut Arslan, Memur-Sen Genel President Ahmet Gündoğdu,
Kamu-Sen Genel President İsmail Koncuk and TİSK Yönetim Kurulu President Tuğrul
Kudatgobilik.
Speaking at the
reception, TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek stated that 50 years have gone by in
regards to Turkey – EU relations, “Turkey wants to be a full EU member as well
as improving relations in all fields. That is why the EU is a state policy for
Turkey.
We have some problems
in regards to the EU membership stemming from sources other than us. There is a
situation arising from the cross-eyed view of Turkey of some of the prominent
countries. We do have of course have shortcomings ourselves. We are aware of
them. We are working to resolve these issues but it is a fact that many
countries which were far behind us in fulfilling the necessary conditions were
summarily granted membership.
However, Turkey
should not turn away from its goal. EU has been supportive of the enactment of
many reforms.
The National Assembly
also puts great importance on this matter. We have the Compliance Commission,
inter-parliamentary joint commissions and even a ministry to address the issue
of membership. This shows how determined and insistent Turkey is in this matter.
Whatever happens, Turkey is enacting these reforms firstly for the sake of its
own people. Full membership is to the benefit of Turkey and the European
Union.”
Touching on the
matter of visas, Çiçek pointed out that many countries which are not even
members of the Customs Union are exempt from visas and stated that, hopefully,
this issue will be resolved.
Çiçek stressed the
importance of the efforts of the professional and non-governmental
organizations to this end and presented his thanks to the delegation.
- EU is essential
TESK President
Bendevi Palandöken, talking about the efforts of the committee, said, “EU is
essential.
Stating that they
will be conducting important meetings in the coming days in regards to the EU
process, Palandöken said, “The fact that we will be able to travel without
visas is hopeful.”
Palandöken stated
that the EU process has proven to enable developments in the democracy aspect.