Ambassador Hansjorg Kretschmer, the European Union Commission's representative to Turkey, and Simon Mordue, First Secretary of the Representation of the EU Commission to Turkey, and head of Financial Cooperation and Coordination of Investment, are still on a visit in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa.

Ambassador Kretschmer visited a water purification facility which is being built with financial support from the EU and answered questions by reporters.

"I have been in Turkey for 10 months. I thought it was time to visit this region. The southeast is politically and economically important. I wanted to visit this region and get some information about it," Kretschmer told reporters.

"Reforms are good, but their effects must be seen"

Kretschmer commented on Turkey's efforts toward joining the EU. "The reforms are important, but it is more important that these reforms are implemented," said Kretschmer.

Kretschmer emphasized that the purification facility project was the biggest infrastructure project carried out by the European Commission."Sanliurfa had a shortage of drinking water in the past. We wanted to help.

With this project, which will be finalized in early 2005, every house will be provided with drinking water."

"Reducing the term of compulsory military service to 15 months is a rational step," said Kretschmer when asked about the decision. "Various countries in the world are working to reduce the term of compulsory military service. But this issue has nothing to do with EU membership. We are only interested in military-civilian relations," said Kretschmer. (NK/EA/NM)