ISTANBUL - Danish Parliament European Union (EU) Commission Chairman Claus Larsen Jensen said on Monday that he hoped Turkey would be successful and enter the EU in 2004 after fulfilling criteria.
Jensen and the accompanying delegation visited Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler.
Jensen said they came to Turkey to look whether or not Copenhagen criteria was met, stating that they would visit several cities in the East after wrapping up contacts in Istanbul and Ankara.
Stressing that December 2004 was very important for Turkey and for whole Europe, Jensen said Copenhagen criteria was the entrance ticket for entrance to the EU, and stated that many things were changed in Turkey in every section to fulfill the criteria.
Jensen said many European countries, including Denmark, wanted to see Turkey among them, and noted that decisions about Copenhagen criteria were clear. He said many things seemed deficient in Turkey more than he expected. 2004 is the limit date, adding he wished Turkey to be successful and enter the EU in 2004 after fulfilling the criteria.
Jensen said there were still some problems in Turkey, describing one of them as the Kurdish problem and the other developments in Turkey. Jensen said their duty was to examine the process after 2004 in details after 2004.
Pointing out that every country, which entered the EU should complete industrial, financial and economic developments within themselves, Jensen said any country which enters the EU before solving those problems would put the Union in a difficult condition.
Guler in his part said studies carried out with the EU accelerated recently, stating that there was a strong determination in Turkey regarded with full membership to the EU.
Guler said the Turkish society know very well what Copenhagen criteria mean with respect to political, economic and social means, adding that there was a social transformation in Turkey at the time being.
Guler said this transformation covered many areas starting from state structure to pluralist democracy. He said lack of participation in Turkish democracy would be completed with the EU.
Guler said Turkey's membership to EU should be discussed in 2004, noting that Turkey had several difficulties, and that EU member countries knew this very well.
Guler wanted Turkey's determination to be a member of the EU should be taken into consideration, noting that, ''we will have more transformation till the decision stage in 2004.''
(AY-AÖ) 23.06.2003