US Urges Turkey and European Union

[kurdeng at aps.nl]

From: tabe at newsdesk.aps.nl
Subject: US Urges Turkey and European Union to Make Deal
Reply-To: kurdeng at aps.nl

12 Jun 1995 10:34:13 -0800


US Urges Turkey and European Union to Make Deal
      ANKARA, June 5 (Reuter) - Washington's ambassador to the European
Union, wrapping up a five-day visit to Turkey, on Monday urged Ankara and its
European trade partners to conclude a customs union without delay.

    Stuart Eizenstat, reinforcing the U.S. campaign to shepherd Turkey deeper
into the Western fold, told a news conference that economic and trade ties
had replaced military links as the key to future cooperation.

    ``Both the European Union and Turkey must do everything necessary to
secure the customs union,'' Eizenstat said. ``Delay only helps the opponents
of Turkey's deeper integration with the West.''

    The customs accord, set to take effect from January 1, 1996, must win
final approval from the European Parliament. However, legislators have said
Ankara must first make progress on a slew of commercial and political
reforms.

    These include easing limits on free expression, such as Article 8 of the
Anti-Terror Law. The clause has been used to jail intellectuals and
journalists discussing the state's relationship to its Kurdish citizens.

    In recent months, Washington has also voiced support for Turkey's plans
for a lucrative Transcaucasus oil pipeline and strongly backed its armed
campaign against separatist Kurdish rebels.

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 * Origin: APS Amsterdam (aps.nl), bbs +31-20-6842147 (16:31/2.0)