Turkish Daily News, 96-07-04
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
TURKISH DAILY NEWS
4 July 1996
CONTENTS
[01] Highlights from the program of the RP-DYP coalition government
[02] Foreign Minister Ciller to miss Balkan conference
[03] Turkey and Greece rule out military exercises in summer
[01] Highlights from the program of the RP-DYP coalition government
Secularism and religion:
The recognition of Turkey as a democratic, secular and social state of law,
and of Ataturk's principles, will constitute the
unretractable common platform for the coalition government. The government
sees freedom of religion and conscience, freedom of thought and free
enterprise as basic foundations for democracy.
State and democracy:
The state will be restructured to make it conform to the changing
needs of our times and the country. A democratic climate based on social,
economic and political pluralism and public participation is essential. For
this, the government will legislate the harmonization laws required by
constitutional amendments, carry out a population census, and update voter
lists.
Security:
The resolute struggle against terrorism will be continued at home and
abroad by preserving the principles embedded in our constitution and
particularly the unitary nature of the state.
The moral and psychological dimensions of combat against terrorism
will not be neglected. Controversies undermining the security forces
fighting the
terrorists will not be allowed. All measures will be taken to reestablish
the security of the people who abandoned their villages in the East and
Southeast,
and to enable their return and compensate their losses. The State of
Emergency will be lifted after necessary measures
are taken. The system of village guards will be reviewed and defects
will be addressed.
Defense
The ongoing efforts toward the modernization of the armed
forces will be accelerated. Maximum use will be made of Turkish industrial
capabilities in the modernization of the armed forces.
Economy
The chief aim remains the development of a suitable climate
for the unimpaired operation of the market economy. Economic development
will be based on a switch from a rent-based
economy to a production-oriented one. Consistent macroeconomic policies
will be followed to reduce the public deficit, to help curb inflation, and
to stabilize growth.
Taxation will be simplified, streamlined and made more equitable. The tax
burden will be reduced for low-income groups, and collection
procedures will be simplified. Steps will be taken to safeguard the
autonomy of the Central
Bank. Privatization will be accelerated and the Treasury's pressures
on financial markets will be curbed. The legal preparations will be
speedily completed for the privatization of energy, transport
and telecommunication companies and services. Efforts will be maintained
for the realization of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and natural gas
pipeline links to Turkey.
Foreign Policy:
In order to reach the final targets provided in the Ankara Accord and the
customs union, all necessary work including legal amendments will be
carried out and within this context all necessary measures for protection
of Turkey's rights and interests will
be taken. Turkey will carry out all the work in regard to the customs
union, taking into consideration its national interests, the country's
conditions and the intention and the efforts of the union while fulfilling
the obligations the union has undertaken within the
framework of the relationship. The priority objective is to have the
customs union operate in a sound way and in a manner serving the reciprocal
interests of the sides. This process will also help Turkey to take the
place it deserves in world trade within the framework of the new world
order being shaped within the framework of GATT 1994. This development will
further reinforce Turkey's weight inthe Balkans, the Caucasus and the
Middle East -- countries which carry importance for Turkey from the point
of view of geography and history -- and acquire a new dimension to Turkey's
relations with the Caucasus and the Middle East with which Turkey has
strong
ties. Turkey will find the opportunity of playing a significant
role in the reinforcement of relations between the Turkic republics
and Europe. In order to achieve all these targets, the government is
determined to fulfil its obligations rapidly without giving any concession
from its vital interests, its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Efforts will be made to apply the provisions of the Ankara Accord and Joint
Protocol concerning individuals' free movement.
It will be ensured that the industrial sector adapts to the new atmosphere
of competition which the customs union will create, and that the infrastructure
with Europe such as land transportation, airports, seaports, railways,
telecommunication and electric network
will be improved. Turkey will continue to participate in the economic
cooperation activities within the framework of the Economic and Commercial
Cooperation Permanent Committee of the Islamic Conference Organization.
Necessary measures will be taken in the coming period for the further
progress of Turkey's bilateral economic and commercial relations with
Islamic countries, particularly with its close
neighbors. Taking into consideration the fact that the Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO) has constituted an additional platform within Turkey's
national policies toward Azerbaijan and the Central Asian republics,
special emphasis will be given for further development of the organization's
activities in the coming period.
Judiciary:
Necessary legal amendments will be carried out to convert prison terms and
fines provided in some penal provisions into
administrative fines. The arbitration system will be institutionalized in
order to lessen the intensive workload of the courts and reduce to
the
minimum the disputes between the citizens and the state. Deficiencies in
the administrative and psychical structures of prisons and the shortcomings
in security measures will be corrected. Efforts to rehabilitate convicts
will be accelerated.
All steps will be taken to complement the legal and economic preparations
to ensure the smooth implementatiion of the customs union with EU which
will also enhance the role Turkey plays in the Balkans and the Caucasus. In
its foreign policy, Turkey will remain loyal to all its international
committments and the agreements it has signed. Turkey will help promote
ties between the Turkic republics and Europe.
The government will also seek to further develop the ties with the Islamic
countries, particularly with those neighboring Turkey. Turkey will continue
playing a leading role in the OIC'sStanding Committee for Commercial and
Economic Cooperation.
The economic development will be based on a "switch from a rents-based
economy to a production-oriented one." The coalition will seek to reduce
the state's role in economy and complete the necessary infrastructure for
the full operation of the market economy. Steps will be taken to reinforce
the autonomy of the Central Bank and limit Treasury intervention to the
financial markets.
Turkey is jointly recognized as a democratic, secular and social state of
law based on Ataturk's principles. The freedom of religion, conscience and
thought as well as free enterprise are sacred. The state will be restructured
to make it conform to the changing needs of our times and the country.
A resolute struggle against terrorism will be waged at home and abroad by
preserving the principles embedded in our constitution and particularly the
unitary nature of the state. Controversies undermining the security forces
fighting the terrorists will not be allowed.
All measures will be taken to reestablish the security of the people who
abandoned their villages in the East and Southeast, and to enable their
return and compensate their losses. The State of Emergency will be lifted
after necessary measures are taken. The system of village guards will be
reviewed and defects will be addressed.
Defense
The ongoing efforts toward the modernization of the armed forces will be
accelerated. Maximum use will be made of Turkish industrial capabilities in
the modernization of the armed forces.
[02] Foreign Minister Ciller to miss Balkan conference
Turkish Daily News
ANKARA- Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller will not attend the
conference of Balkan foreign ministers in Sofia this weekend because of the
confidence vote in the new government.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel told reporters at his weekly
press conference that unfortunately Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime
Minister Ciller could not attend the Balkan conference. "Turkey is
supporting this meeting, especially after the Dayton agreement which ended
the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This meeting will contribute positively to
peace and stability in the Balkans," Akbel said.
The Balkan conference was originally scheduled to coincide with the Habitat
II conference in Istanbul, but was postponed at Turkey's request until this
weekend.
[03] Turkey and Greece rule out military exercises in summer
'Gentleman's agreement' between Turkey and Greece not to conduct military
exercises in summertime turns into an obligation
Turkish Daily News
ANKARA- The "gentleman's agreement" between Greece and Turkey that
neither side would conduct military exercises in summer turned into an
obligation when Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said on Wednesday
he was in favor of this.
Pangalos, after meeting U.S Deputy Undersecretary Peter Tarnoff who was in
Ankara Tuesday, said that Greece was accepting the idea, which was also
indicated in the protocol between the two countries signed in 1988, the
Anatolia news agency reported.
Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said that this offer was actually
proposed by NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana 10 days ago. There was a
"gentleman's agreement" between Greece and Turkey for a long time not to
hold military exercises, and both parties held to this. Turkey has already
accept the offer and welcomed Greece's attitude.
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