Baykal: Turkey Has Reached A Very Hopeful Stage In Regard To Opening Of Accession Talks With The E.U.

ANKARA - Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said on Friday, ''during my visit to Germany, I got the impression that Turkey has reached a very hopeful stage in regard to opening of the accession talks with the European Union (EU).''
Baykal, who attended the meeting of the Party of European Socialists (PES) and ceremonies to mark the 140th anniversary of foundation of the Social Democrat Party in Germany, returned to Turkey.
Addressing journalists at Ankara's Esenboga Airport after his arrival, Baykal said that he had held very beneficial contacts.
''The meeting of the PES focused on problems stemming from the division between Europe and the United States following the Iraq crisis. During the meeting, it was stressed that a joint approach should be developed between Europe and the United States as soon as possible,'' he said.
Noting that the issue of the EU's enlargement process was also brought onto agenda during the meeting, Baykal said, ''social democrat political parties in Europe support enlargement process' coming into a conclusion as soon as possible. I explained that Turkey would fulfill its responsibilities by approving the new adjustment package. During my visit to Germany, I got the impression that Turkey has reached a very hopeful stage in regard to opening of the accession talks with the EU. If Turkey enacts recent arrangements and put into practice them, the EU's rejecting opening of accession talks with Turkey will become harder.''
(UK-AY) 23.05.2003