ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that ''starting of full membership negotiations with EU continues to be one of our number-one targets, political reforms continue to be on top of our agenda.''
Prime Minister Erdogan hosted a dinner in the honour of Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker the same evening.
Speaking in the dinner, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the visit of Luxembourg Prime Minister would contribute to further improvement of relations between the two nations.
''We are pleased to see that Turkey-Luxembourg relations started to improve in parallel to the progress in Turkey-EU relations after Turkey's candidacy to EU was accepted in 1999 Helsinki Summit. ''It is pleasing to see that our high ranking contacts became regular by the visit of Luxembourg Vice Prime Minister Lydie Polfer and by the bilateral studies between our foreign ministers within the scope of Turkey-EU Association Council. It is our most important target to ensure the prosperity and happiness of our nations. I believe that we have broad opportunities to use at bilateral level to this end,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan said that the signing of the prevention of double taxation and cultural cooperation agreements was the sign of the desire of both sides to complete the legal ground for improving bilateral relations. Erdogan said that the signing of Social Security Agreement in the near future confirmed the mutual resolution in the same framework.
Stressing that the trade volume which was 50 million dollars between the two countries was far from reflecting the real potential, Erdogan said that private sectors of both countries should come together regularly. Erdogan stated that it would be useful to form Luxembourg group within the context of Turkish-Belgian Business Council.
Erdogan stressed that institutional cooperation had to be set up between Luxembourg Trade Chamber - Istanbul Trade Chamber and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), adding that the implementation of agreement on prevention of double taxation would have contributions to bilateral investments.
''I see that our relations in field of tourism are not sufficient,'' said Erdogan and noted that round 4,000 visitors came to Turkey from Luxembourg annually. This didn't show the real potential, said Erdogan, adding ''LUXAIR's restarting its charter flights to Antalya will bring more tourists to Turkey from Luxembourg. This can also cover Aegean region where Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House are present.''
Erdogan stressed that Turkey shared all universal values with Europe also in humanitarian field. ''I would like to thank you once again for the support you extended for confirmation of Turkey's candidacy status to EU during Helsinki Summit and afterwards. As you also know, Turkey undertook important reforms in short time. Starting full membership negotiations with EU continues to be the top issue that has priority for us. Political reforms continues to be on top of our agenda. Our government is resolved to abide by Copenhagen criteria as soon as possible, and we have the support of the majority of the parliament and the people. Turkey will contribute significantly to EU with its dynamic population and strong economic potential when it becomes full member of EU. Our membership will constitute the evidence of co-existence of cultural differences and of Islam and Christianity. Therefore the Western World will give the most effective response to views of 'civilization clash.' As it was also seen during the last Gulf Crisis, the common point of action between Turkey and EU in the region are very broad.''
Erdogan said that cooperation was necessary to explain all these realities to the European public opinion, adding that he hoped Luxembourg would support the activities which Turkey planned to undertake at the level of all European public opinions to overcome the prejudice about Turkey's membership until EU Summit to be held in December, 2004. Erdogan pointed out that Turkey expected the continuation of the support of Luxembourg on all these issues.
Prime Minister Erdogan added that he believed the visit of Juncker would further consolidate the mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.
Juncker said that the relations between Turkey and Luxembourg were traditional and intensive, adding that both countries were allies in the same alliance.
Juncker said yet the two countries watched each other from a distance until now, adding that the two countries must know each other better in this period in which Turkey tried to reach its goals to join EU. ''You came to Luxembourg a few months ago, and we came here. The prejudices started to disappear starting from this moment,'' Juncker told Erdogan.
Juncker stated that there would be a common future in Europe, adding that the two countries would work together on the trip of Turkey to the EU. ''We will extend support to Turkey,'' said Juncker recalling that the date of starting negotiations with Turkey would be determined in December 2004.
''The negotiations can start in the first part of 2005, during Luxembourg's EU Term Presidency...The problems which still exist will disappear until then,'' he said. Juncker praised the reforms undertaken by the government, adding that Luxembourg continued to support Turkey's taking steps in that direction.
Juncker stated that Turkey entered into a very important transformation and change process by its own will. ''As Turkey's will is strong and as not much time left, Turkey will be successful,'' he said. ''I love both Turkey, and Europe, because they travel together,'' he added.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Ali Babacan, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Finance Minister Kemal Unakýtan and Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu attended the dinner.
(ÖÞ) 09.06.2003