STRASBOURG - National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Monday that Turkey's secular and democratic model defied so-called clash of civilizations.
Delivering a speech at the general assembly session of the European Security and Defense Assembly in Strasbourg, Gonul stressed that majority of population of Turkey constituted Muslim people, adding that Turkey also had a close connection with political, economic and culture structure of western Europe.
Gonul said, ''Turkey is a historical, geographical, political and economic part of Europe and will be. We share similar values with Europe.''
Stating that Turkey was determined to prove that it could also be a democratic, transparent, pluralist and modern country, when protecting identity of a Muslim community, Gonul said that Turkey's European Union (EU) membership would prevent new divisions in Europe and also provide settlement of democracy in a way which was sound and which was based on European norms in Turkey.
''EU will have important strategic benefit with respect to economy and security thanks to Turkey's full membership,'' Gonul stated and noted that EU would also have more advantages in protection of peace, stability and security in Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, Caucasia and Central Asia thanks to Turkey's membership.
Stating that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government was determined to speed up and implement reforms, Gonul said that the government attributed special importance to fulfillment of political criteria.
Noting that they wanted full membership negotiations to be started with EU as soon as possible, he drew attention to developments regarding European Security and Defense Policy.
Gonul pointed out some concerns of Turkey over this issue and stated that permanent representing structure of Turkish officers in new military structure of EU did not become definite satisfactorily.
He also pointed out that Turkey participated in planning meetings of EU for NATO-EU exercises only as an observer as another concern of Turkey.
Noting that Turkey was monitoring discussions on security and defense in the European Convention, he said that steps which would be taken on that issue should be in harmony with decisions which had been earlier taken.
Gonul said strategic cooperation fields on European security between NATO and EU should also include civilian urgent aid planning and fight against terrorism.
(EÖ-AY) 02.06.2003