KEMER - Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan said on Friday that a Turkey which solved its structural problems and balanced income distribution undoubtedly contributed to global peace as being an important factor of stability in its region and in the world.
Erdogan attended International Rotary 2430th Region Conference at the Merit Limra Hotel in Kemer town of southern province of Antalya.
Speaking at the conference, Erdogan said that Anatolia had been cradle of many civilizations, many different cultures had lived on these territories, and it had made important contributions to common heritage of the humanity.
Stressing that as a country which included a heritage that had root deep in history, Turkey had a great responsibility in contributing to protection of peace in the world, Erdogan said, ''in order to fulfil this responsibility, Turkey should balance its domestic dynamics and protect social unity and solidarity.
''A powerful Turkey which solved its structural problems and balanced income distribution undoubtedly contributes to global peace as being an important factor of stability in its region and in the world. Thus existence of a democratic, prosperous and stable Turkey is very important not also for people of Turkey but also for our region. Our government which came to the power by being aware of this, continues its efforts at high speed on solution of Turkey's structural problems. Firstly, we have rapidly taken an initiative for restructuring of Turkey,'' he said.
Noting that they attributed great importance to Turkey's integration with the world, Erdogan said that to this end, they had taken necessary steps for accession to the European Union (EU).
Stressing that such steps continued to be taken with great determination, Erdogan said, ''we expect that we would be EU member in next few years. Actually, Turkey has already deserved this membership.''
Recalling that Turkey had been waiting in front of the EU door since 1959, Erdogan said, ''I suppose that it is now Turkey's turn. With this objective, there have been intense constitutional amendments. Now were making preparations for the final constitutional changes package in front of us. I suppose that we will do it in June, fulfilling every necessary constitutional change for EU membership.''
''Actually, as it was expressed also by Turkey's current friends, Turkey has already deserved it. As a modern and democratic country, Turkey is undoubtedly a part of Europe. We don't say this only as a geographical characteristics. Because we don't consider the EU a bloc of countries within a geographical structure but we consider it a union of strategic values or political values.''
''We are open to every opinion, proposal and project that can direct social transformation. This century will be the century over which peace and tolerance will be dominant. Although we started the century with Iraq war, we want it to be the century of peace and love. But there are many steps that the humankind should take about this issue. And as Turkey, we are exerting efforts to fulfil our responsibilities,'' Erdogan added.
(MS) 16.05.2003