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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 97-12-02Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>02 DEC 1997CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on December 2, 1997. Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HÜRRİYET (LIBERAL)IT IS PRIVATE SECTOR'S TURNPrime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said yesterday that the government will not increase prices of the State Economic Enterprises (KIT) products for six months. ''We aim not to increase prices of the products which are produced by the public sector,'' said Yılmaz. However Yılmaz also stated that difficulties may arise in several products wihout mentioning the names of tea and cigarette. MİLLİYET (LIBERAL)PRICES TO FREEZEThe government takes a resolved step in its struggle with the chronic inflation. Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz said the prices of the public products will not be increased in the first half of 1998. This decision also effected the private sector: Firms such as Koc, Sabancı, Eczacıbası and Ulusoy will state their views after evaluating on the issue. TUSIAD will discuss this issue in Supreme Consultation Council meeting in Ankara on Wednesday. Taxis in Ankara extended support to the government's decision. Alarko Holding, in its part said that it will accept the proposal by pursuing a serious program. KINKEL SURPRISES SABAH (LIBERAL)SPECIAL AMNESTY FORMULA FOR LEYLA ZANAThe punishment of former parliamentarian from the Democracy Party (DEP) Leyla Zana will be delayed due to ''health reasons.'' However Zana sent letters to Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz and US President Bill Clinton, saying that she rejects the postponement of her punishment. Justice Minister Oltan Sungurlu stated that ''postponement of punishment is not related with individual will.'' CUMHURİYET (LEFT)PRESIDENT DEMIREL LEAVES FOR OMAN AND UAEPresident Suleyman Demirel left for Oman and United Arab Emirates on Monday. The aim of the visit, which will last for four days, is to improve relations with the Arab countries particularly in the field of defense. REACTION TO CENSUS INCREASES TÜRKİYE (RIGHT)SECOND CENSURE MOTION AGAINST TOPCUThe second censure motion against the Public Settlement and Housing Minister Yasar Topcu will be taken up by the parliament today. If the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) does not attend the voting, the censure motion is expected to be accepted. RADİKAL (LEFT)NEW PENALTY SYSTEM IN TAXATIONCouncil of Ministers renews the penalty system in taxation. The new system foresees that the monetary fines will decrease, however imprisonment will increase regarding those who do not pay their taxes. ALL EYES ON KOC HOLDING ZAMAN (RELIGIOUS)WE WANT TO BELIEVECitizens who are disappointed by heavy taxes despite the promises on the contrary, is cautious this time regarding the statements saying that ''no price increases will be imposed on public products for six months.'' YENİ YÜZYIL (LIBERAL)SIX MONHTS ''HEAVEN''Yılmaz government will not increase prices of public products for six months. Israeli model will be implemented to struggle with the inflation. If the private sector continues to increase the prices of their products, the inflation may not decrease, because the prices of the private sector products effect the increase in inflation very much. FİNANSAL FORUM (ECONOMY)BUDGET TARGETS NOT TO CHANGEThe government aims to decrease the inflation by 50 percent by the end of next year and realize the 1998 budget targets in the first stage. Although the KIT products are freezed, 30 percent of the inflation will be transferred to 1998. [02] TURKEY-OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL IN OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN OMANMUSCAT, Dec 2, (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel, who is currently paying an official visit to Oman, said on Monday that the conflicts in the Middle East prevented Turkey to further improve its relations with Oman and United Arab Emirates, adding that ''we want to cooperate with Oman in every field.''President Demirel received Turkish citizens who settled and have been working in Oman. Turkish citizens told President Demirel that they do not have any problems in Oman, adding that they are happy to live in this country. ''We wish to further improve our relations with Oman, particularly in the field of trade,'' President Demirel said. Noting that Oman purchases many things and Turkey produces industrial products just like developed countries, President Demirel stressed that if the Iraqi Crisis did not take place, Turkey would have developed its relations with Oman. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said later hosted a dinner in the honour of President Demirel the same day. [03] TURKEY-GERMANY-EU - SURPRISE DECLARATION FROM KINKEL: - ''TURKEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE EXPANSION COMMITTEE''PARIS, 2 Dec (A.A) - German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said on Monday that they want the participation of Turkey both to the ''Expansion Committee'' that was proposed by Bonn, and to the European Conference.Speaking in a meeting of Western European Union Assembly (WEU), Kinkel has not objected to invite Turkey to the Expansion Committee along with the European Conference. In a former declaration, Germany wanted the expansion of European Union (EU) to be discussed within an Expansion Committee proposed by Bonn, not within the European Conference, and it objected inviting Turkey into this committee. Proposing European Conference, France supported the issue of expansion to be discussed within European Conference and objected the establishment of a separate committee for this issue. In his speech, Kinkel emphasized regional importance of Turkey and friendly relations between Turkey and Germany. Kinkel also said EU has to fulfil its obligations under customs union with Turkey. [04] TURKEY EU - STATE MINISTER ISIN CELEBI: ''EU'S RESTRICTIONS WORRY US''CANAKKALE, Dec 2 (A.A) - State Minister Isın Celebi said on Monday that the restrictions brought by EU and negative outcomes of customs union (CU) force them to reevaluate the CU.In his speech at Canakkale Dardanel Tuna Fish Facilities, Celebi said that they definitely wanted the participation of Turkey in the expansion process of European Union. ''The Customs Union did not work in favour of Turkey for last two years. The fact that we are not included in the cummulation lists and also the obstacles brought by EU in supplying row materials and exports to EU worry us,'' he said. ''Institutions of customs union are not working adequately and they do not yield into results in favour of Turkey,'' he added, ''and these negative outcomes forces us to reevaluate the customs union.'' [05] NATO-TURKEY-GREECE - HEAD OF NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE: ''PROBLEMS REGARDING NEW COMMANDING STRUCTURE OVERCOMED AT MILITARY LEVEL AND ISSUE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO POLITICAL FLANK''BRUSSELS, Dec 2 (A.A) - Head of NATO Military Committee General Klaus Nauman said on Monday that problems related with the the new NATO command structure have been overcomed at the military level and this issue has been submitted to the political flank.Addressing a statement to the press at the end of the NATO Military Committee meetings held on the same day, General Nauman stated that Greece and Turkey have overcomed the impediments regarding Aegean and described this development as ''a great success.'' Noting that Aegean conflict is not a ''Turkish-Greek problem'', but rather an ''aliance problem'', Gen. Nauman stressed that NATO suffered a lot from this problem for the last 20 years, adding that ''both countries showed great flexibility towards each other and problems were overcomed.'' General Nauman stated that ''military officials can not solve political problems'', therefore the reconciliation that was reached at Military Committee will be taken up at Defense Ministers meeting on Wednesday and by Foreign Ministers on December 16. Meanwhile, Turkish NATO officials said that ''an agreement was reached and Turkey and Greece are bound with it.'' Pointing out that ''only a model and concept have been accepted,'' officials said that the principle of multinationalism in sub-headquarters was adopted. Aegean is perceived as an ''Alliance region'' and its division into control areas is out of question, the officials said. The officials said that the sub-headquarters, which are planned to be constructed in Turkey and Greece, will be linked to NATO Southern Regional Headquarter in Napoli, but the two countries will always have the right to state their views. Turkish officials said that the model will be discussed and time is needed to reach an agreement on details. [06] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (1)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on December 2, 1997. Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information) DEMIREL VISITS OMAN AND UAE Speaking at the airport before leaving for Oman, the first stop of his visit, Demirel said that Turkey's stance during the latest crisis in the Gulf had solidified their already friendly relations with Oman and the UAE. He also stated that economic and commercial relations between Turkey and the two countries would be reviewed and new areas of cooperation outlined. After arriving in Oman, a banquet was given in Demirel's honour yesterday at the Palace. After spending two days in Oman, Demirel is scheduled to arrive in the UAE on Wednesday. /Sabah/ NATO'S TOP OFFICIALS MEET IN BRUSSELS GENERAL STAFF SENDS MESSAGE TO EGYPT KINKEL VOICES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO U.S. TURKEY AIMS FOR PUBLIC PRICE FREEZE IN FIRST HALF OF 1998 GREECE INSISTS ON ITS 'TURKEY VETO' Indicating that the EU member countries were far from reaching a compromise on the context and the targets of the European Conference, Simitis stated that Turkey's participation in the conference has not been clarified. Simitis added that Chirac had told him that inviting Turkey to the conference would be helpful in solving the problems. /Sabah/ BLAIR WANTS CLOSER CONTACT BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY ''The tension between Greece and Turkey is not just a bilateral problem. It limits NATO's effectiveness. It consumes precious time in the EU and is a source of instability and concern in the area'' Blair said. He said Athens and Ankara should agree on a long-term plan to solve their disputes and approach problems with greater confidence. (continues) [07] TURKISH PRESS REVIEW (2)These are brief summaries of some of the leading stories in Turkey's press on December 2, 1997. Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.(Derived from Newsspot of Turkish Directorate of General Press and Information) SYMPOSIUM ON CYPRUS STARTS AT WAR ACADEMY Ozgen strssed that the Greek Cypriot and Greek governments have been attempting to bring the issue into the world arena for a long time and this attempt had recently achieved success. He said that the Greek Cypriot application for membership in the EU was political. /All papers/ ''TURKEY PLAYS VITAL ROLE FOR MIDDLE EAST BALANCE'' SYRIA WANTS TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH TURKEY TURKISH F-16 AIRCRAFT OVER THE AEGEAN SEA TURCO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS GAIN ACCELERATION Taner noted that before Prime Minister Chernomyrdin's visit to Turkey between 14-16 December, Turkish deputation in Moscow had tried to eliminate differences in the contents of the agreements to be signed between the two countries. /Sabah/ INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY UNDERSECRETARY IN ANKARA The Ankara component of the seminar will cover Indian-Turkish relations in the political, diplomatic and cultural fields whereas the second component of the seminar in Istanbul on December 4-5 will cover economic, commercial and technical exchanges. [08] TURKEY-ECONOMY - COUNCIL OF MINISTERS DISCUSSES NEW TAX REFORMS - STATE MINISTER ANDICAN: ''IMPRISONMENT IS FORESEEN FOR TAX-EVASION, RATHER THAN MONETARY FINES''ANKARA, Dec 2 (A.A) - State Minister and Government Speaker Ahad Andican said on Monday that the Council of Ministers took up the issue of nex tax reform, adding that ''imprisonment is foreseen for tax-evasers.Addressing a statement to the press regarding the Council of Ministers meeting, Andican said that Minister of Finance Zekeriya Temizel informed the Ministers about the tax reforms, adding that the draft will impose a new penal system on tax-evasion. ''Tax-evaders will pay the same amount as a punishment in real terms,'' said Andican, adding that new regulations are also foreseen for taxation system, the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) will decrease, therefore this tax will be freezed at 15 percent in 1998. Andican stressed that the draft law on taxation is based on four basic principles, it aims widening of tax base, taking unregistered economy under control, collecting all tax groups under one tax group called ''special consumption tax'' and fair distribution of tax burden in the society. [09] CYPRUS - TV FREQUENCY FIGHT IN CYPRUS - TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS REACTS HARSHLY TO GREEK-CYPRIOT SIDE'S EFFORTS TO LAY AIR-FREQUENCY EMBARGO ON TRNCLEFKOSA, Dec 2 (A.A) - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said on Monday that Greek-Cypriot side is now trying to put on an ''air-frequency embargo'' on TRNC for television (TV) broadcasts. ''Whatever the method and cost are, we are resolved to fix them on southern Cyprus by parasites if they will attempt to realize such a thing,'' he said.President Denktas received the members of newly set up TRNC Hihger Committee for Broadcast. Denktas said in the meeting that such efforts of Greek-Cypriot side will continue if world countries continue to recognize them as a ''legal government''. Pointing out that there is not any other country which has faced illegal embargoes for 34 years, Denktas said that protest messages should be sent to the concerned international organizations by taking necessary measures with the mediation of government, public and other institutions. [10] TURKEY-US - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM LEAVES FOR USISTANBUL, Dec 2 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem left for US on Tuesday as an official guest of US State Secretary Madeleine Albright.Addressing a statement at Ataturk Airport, Foreign Minister Cem said that he will propose US State Secretary officials to cooperate in the field of strategic issues. Cem pointed out that he will make an inquiry in US regarding the possible contributions of Foreign Ministry to improve Turkish-American relations in the field of economy. Ismail Cem said that he will also hold contacts in US concerning the political infrastructure of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Foreign Minister Cem added that he will make preparations regarding the visit of Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz to US in December. [11] TURKEY-OMAN - PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS OMANI SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAIDMUSCAT, Dec 2 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel, who is currently paying an official visit to Oman, met Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said on Tuesday.State Ministers Mehmet Batallı and Metin Gurdere, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Korkmaz Haktanır and Turkish Ambassador to Oman Erdal Tumer also participated in the meeting. President Demirel had earlier received Omani Trade and Industry Minister Maqbool bin Ali Sultan the same day. Addressing a statement before the meeting, Omani Trade Minister said that bilateral relations will be speeded up by the visit of President Demirel to Oman. [12] TURKEY-EU - IMPORTANT STATEMENTS FROM EU TERM PRESIDENT - ''TURKEY IS A GREAT AND HONORABLE EUROPEAN''BRUSSELS, Dec 2 (A.A) - European Union (EU) Term President Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday that the idea of ''Permanently European Conference'' was ''discovered'' to form a platform for Turkish-European relations, adding that this will be a trivial initiation after Ankara's open attitude, and stressed that he would bring a new proposal.Speaking to press in Brussels, EU Term President Juncker said full membership negotiations of candidate countries of the EU should start all together and speaking about Turkey he said: ''Permanently European Conference was discovered in an effort to rapproach EU's relations with Turkey. Yet, the conference would not have any function regarding the expansion of EU. In fact, Turkey is not interested in the idea of the conference any more. We should discover another idea to form positive relations between Turkey and EU.'' Juncker said his recent contacts in Turkey could not be identified as ''failure'' adding that ''yet, we should think more deeply regarding the future of Turkish-EU relations.'' Juncker said ''soldiers in Turkey said EU would be out of the agenda if it fails to show a more serious approach to this country'' and stressed that ''in my opinion, EU would make a serious mistake if it fails to take Turkey into consideration which is on our continent.'' He said, ''Turkey is a great country, an honorable nation and a European. We should prepare a place to Turkey within European family.'' ''I visited Rome and Lisbon after Turkey. I will meet Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene and the Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok in the Hague today. I will also visit Madrid on Wednesday. I hope to find a good answer to confirm our ties with Turkey. I have a proposal. The ones whom I met agree with me that we should not give the impression that we isolated Turkey. Everybody is aware that the question which we have to respond is very important,'' Juncker said. Juncker refrained from giving a concrete information about his proposal regarding Turkey. [13] TURKEY-RUSSIA - RUSSIAN PREMIER DUE TO TURKEYANKARA, Dec 2 (A.A) - Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin will pay an official visit to Turkey between Dec 15 and 16 upon the invitation of Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, it was reported on Tuesday.Foreign Ministry statement said bilateral relations between the two countries will be taken up in detail. The statement also said facilities to add momentum to the rapid development process recorded in economic and trade relations between the two countries in the recent period, and steps to further improve this will be taken up and that the sides will exchange views on regional and international issues. [14] TURKEY-TRNC - STATE MINISTER SUKRU SINA GUREL: ''CONTINUATION OF TRNC IN CYPRUS AS AN INDEPENDENT, SOVEREIGN, EQUAL, POLITICAL GOVERNMENT CARRIES VITAL IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY''ISTANBUL, Dec 2 (A.A) - State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said on Monday that ''from now on, Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will never approve any solution if it is not based upon the reality that there are two countries in the island as politically equal and sovereign.''Gurel evaluated the Cyprus issue in a meeting held in Military Academies. Gurel said that the foundation of a solution which is based upon geographical separation in Cyprus, has been layed until today and everybody should accept this in the international arena. Pointing out that the sovereignty of two nations in Cyprus was accepted by a constitutional regulation set up by an international agreement signed in 1960, Gurel said, ''the political scenery in the island has become very complicated with the European Union (EU) issue.'' Emphasizing that the issue has not only political and legal dimensions but also human rights dimension, Gurel said that the countries, which always criticize Turkey regarding human rights, do not take into consideration 180- 200,000 people's rights living in TRNC. Gürel also said that TRNC has a strategical importance for Turkey. [15] TURKEY-MILITARY EXERCISE - ''CEVIK PENCE'' MILITARY EXERCISE CANCELLEDANKARA, Dec 2 (A.A) - Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli said on Tuesday that ''Cevık Pence'' (Brisk Claw) military exercise, foreseen to take place in the Aegean in December was cancelled.Responding to a question, Atacanli recalled that ''Cevık Pence'' was one of the planned military exercises jointly performed by Naval and Air Forces every year, adding that the maneuver in question was planned to take place in eight different region of the Aegean's international sea and air field. Atacanli said ''Turkey has decided to cancel the planned exercises with the aim of making a contribution to the atmosphere of peace which it is striving to achieve in the Aegean.'' Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman said Turkey unilaterally implemented confidence building measures fully between July 1 and 15 which were proposed by NATO Secretary General, adding that Turkey sincerely called on Greece to participate in the implementation. Yet, he recalled that Greece failed to participate in the measures. Atacanli said Turkey's good will intentions, showed by cancelling international military exercises, should be evaluated by Greece and stressed that it would be good if Greece contributes to the establishment of a confidence atmosphere in the Aegean. [16] TURKEY-ISRAEL - ISRAEL WILLING TO IMPROVE COOPERATION IN DEFENSE FIELDTEL AVIV, Dec 2 (A.A) - Turkish-Israeli relations improve despite the negative developments in the Middle East Peace Process and ''Ambassador crisis'' between Turkey and Israel.Turkish-Israel relations improve in defense field in particular. One of the recent examples of this is reflected in selling of Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV), produced by Israeli Aircraft Industry (AIA). IAI's Marketing Deputy General Director Menashe Broder, evaluating Turkish- Israeli relations, said both of these countries have common problems in defense sector, adding that UAV's could be jointly used in this field. He said Turkish-Israeli relations improved rapidly in the recent 10 years. ''Our contacts are underway with Turkish government regarding UAV's,'' Broder said, adding that ''we are willing to share technology to this end.'' [17] CYPRUS - EU COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: ''WE WILL SUBMIT A PACKAGE WHICH WILL SATISFY TURKEY''LEFKOSA, Dec 2 (A.A) - European Union (EU) Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Hans Van Den Broek Tuesday dissappointed Greek Cypriots by giving warm messages to Turkish side at the end of his contacts in Cyprus.Addressing a news conference, Van Den Broek said ''we will submit a package that will satisfy Turkey during Luxembourg summit regarding relations with the EU and I hope this will be acceptable.'' Van Den Broek said existance of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should be taken into consideration seriously even if it is not recognized. He drew an extremely positive picture regarding Turkey's full membership to European Union. Van Den Broek said Turkish side have concerns regarding identity and security issues in Cyprus. ''We will try to overcome these,'' he said, adding that ''EU has to serve the interests of the two societies. EU will not reject the points where the two sides agree on. Both sides shold come together within the framework of bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and adjust their laws with the EU.'' Greek Cypriot reporters reacted to the statement of Van Den Broek. One of the reporters asked ''how can you talk about the laws of the two sides. Does not EU recognize only Greek Cypriots as the legal government of EU?'' Responding to this question, Van Den Broek said, ''I do not want to discuss legality with you. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have laws de facto even if we do not recognize it.'' [18] TURKEY-ENVIRONMENT - INDUSTRIAL WASTE GOES TO SEA IN MARMARA REGION - FISH SPECIES IN MARMARA SEA DECREASED FROM 125 TO 10ANKARA, Dec 2 (A.A) - Pollution created by industrial establishments threatens Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas.The data gathered from the Ministry of Environment said that the number of fish species in Marmara Sea decreased from 125 to 10. The data show that Marmara Sea is polluted by the industrial plants set up around the sea; Blacksea, by the chemicals coming from Tuna River; Aegean and Meditteranean Seas, by the lack of infrastructures, yatch tourism, touristic facilities, and agricultural activities. There is no purification unit for toxic waste in 70 percent of the plants in Marmara region, which houses 50 percent of Turkey's industry. And the Black Sea also faces pollution threat coming from Europe. 250,000 tons of nitrogen and 50 tons of phosphorus is deposited to Black Sea only from Tuna River in a year. This toxic waste effects great part of Marmara and Aegean Seas. [19] TURKEY-BULGARIA - PREMIER YILMAZ DUE TO SOFIAANKARA, Dec 2 (A.A) - Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will go to Sofia on Thursday on a two-day official visit upon the invitation of Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.Foreign Ministry statement said this will be the first visit in Premier level from Turkey to Bulgaria, adding that State Ministers Rifat Serdaroglu and Isin Celebi, Interior Minister Murat Basesgioglu, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer and Culture Minister Istemihan Talay will accompany Yilmaz. The statement said facilities to give dynamism and perspective to bilateral relations, good neighbourhood, friendship and cooperation will be taken up during the visit. Turkish-Bulgarian Business Council will take effect with the visit. [20] TURKEY IN BRIEF - DECEMBER 2, 1997ANKARA - Turkey starts to produce ''dialysis solution machine'', it was reported on Tuesday.Health Minister Halil Ibrahim Ozsoy opened the ''Dialysis Solution Factory'' set up by Turkish Baskent Holding and Swedish Gambro firm. Addressing the opening ceremony of the factory in Sincan Organized Industrial Zone in Ankara, Ozsoy said that the health sector in Turkey has been in a reconstruction process. Ozsoy said that the infrastructure studies of the health reform is expected to be concluded in 1998. Stating that there is high-level transplantation technology and staff in Turkey but insufficient organ donation, Ozsoy called all Turkish citizens to donate their organs. ANKARA - The first of two patrol boats, which will be used in coast guard services, will be delivered to Georgia on Tuesday with a ceremony within the framework of bilateral agreement between Turkey and Georgia. Secreteriat General of General Staff said in a written statement that the patrol boat will be delivered in Hopa by a ceremony in which Turkish and Georgian officials will participate. [21] TURKEY-EUROPEAN CONFERENCE - FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''TURKEY'S WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN EUROPEAN CONFERENCE CONTINUES DEPENDING ON THE CONTEXT OF THE CONFERENCE AND THE STATUS OF THE PARTICIPANTS''ANKARA, Dec 2 (A.A) - Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Turkey's willingness to participate in European Conference continued depending on the context of the conference and the status of the participants.Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli, responding to a question, said Turkey wanted to participate in the conference under equal status with other candidate countries. Atacanli said, ''Turkey is willing to participate in EU's scheduled expansion process in candidate country status.'' He also recalled that Turkey disclosed its intention to participate in intergovernmental conference.
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