"Turkey's secretive security council courts EU
By Vincent Boland in Ankara
Published: November 30 2004 18:02 | Last updated: November 30 2004 18:02
Turkey's national security council (MGK), the secretive institution long regarded as the country's most powerful decision-making body, briefed diplomats and the media on its operations on Tuesday in an unprecedented display of transparency aimed at impressing the European Union.
The briefing, the first in the MGK's 71-year history, was an opportunity to showcase one of the Turkish government's prized reforms the ascendancy of civilian influence over the military in a country used to intermittent but forceful rule by its armed forces. It came amid an all-out, last-minute effort by Turkey to persuade the EU at its December 17 summit to allow it to become a full member of the union."
More:FT.com / World - Turkey's secretive security council courts EU
