ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that the European Union (EU) was saying that negotiations with Turkey would start in 2004.
Speaking in the regular general assembly of Economic Development Foundation (IKV), Erdogan said that they were fulfilling their obligations and hoped that the seventh EU adjustment package would be passed from parliament later in the day.
Erdogan noted that he visited 28 countries before and after he became the prime minister and that he tried to explain Turkey's new image in his contacts.
''A revival and movement started. I will meet with a few foreigners after this meeting and take them to various parts of Istanbul. I want them to make investments in infrastructure of Istanbul,'' Erdogan said.
Stating that the seventh EU adjustment package was the fourth package to be passed after they had come to power, Erdogan said, ''we hope it will be the final. Otherwise, we have to bring the eight one. Why are we so determined? Our government has considered it a national project. We have considered it a civilization project, a meeting among civilizations, and a project of compromise.''
Erdogan pointed out that he visited all EU member countries and told heads of state and government of those countries that Turkey was not behind the EU member countries in many fields and deserved the EU.
''I should say that there is an injustice against Turkey. I have to say it. We tell them to express their demands and we will fulfil them. Because, I don't consider the issue as only adjustment. They tell us to implement. OK, you tell us to implement them, but have the first 15 and other 10 countries completed this adjustment and implementation? We see that they haven't. Most of them have not been implemented them. There is a very simple issue. A country accepted to the EU should not have regional uneasiness within its borders. But, Cyprus is accepted. Has Cyprus overcome problems within itself? The answer is no,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey's EU accession would rapidly help solution of this issue and added, ''but, they have not acted so. However, as Turkey, we have neither rejected the Annan plan so far nor we have favored insolubility. As Turkey, we have always favored a settlement.''
Turkey's and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' (TRNC) positive approaches since April 2 had been seen, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said, ''but, despite these, mentality and person that seizes even a kilo of cheese bought by a Greek Cypriot from TRNC as he crosses to the south of the island is not a mentality or person favoring peace. Similarly, mentality which brings onto agenda a draft law requesting imprisonment terms between one and two years for a Greek Cypriot who spends a night in the north of the island can't be in favor of peace.''
Turkey lifted visa obligation for Greek Cypriots, Erdogan pointed out.
Erdogan went on saying, ''but, look, Greece has not done the same thing. They don't recognize the same right to TRNC. Why are you reluctant? Why aren't you feeling at ease? I proposed Simitis in Belgrade to sit at a table and take up Annan plan if necessary, discuss it and solve the issue together. I received the response that he would not sit at a table for a job, the result of which could not be taken. But, we are not hopeless.''
There were also some mistakes in Arie Ostlander's report on Turkey, Erdogan said.
Erdogan emphasized that the sympathy shown for several people particularly Leyla Zana was not shown for him when he was convicted of a poem he read when he was Istanbul Mayor.
''I withdrew my case from the European Court of Human Rights because my nation has made the decision,'' Erdogan said.
Stressing that 2004 would be a year of many implementations regarding EU, Erdogan said, ''I have told them that we believe in the Copenhagen political criteria. We are making reforms because we believe they will raise living standards of our people. We don't care much if you accept us or not. We will name these criteria 'Ankara criteria' if necessary and continue our path.''
Erdogan went on saying, ''I have openly said this. But, the EU should accept us not because Turkey will gain much from it but because Turkey will be beneficial for the EU. If you don't consider the EU a geographical union, a Christian union, or a Christian club, and if you consider it a union of political values, you should accept Turkey as a member. Then, there will be a meeting of civilizations.''
Turkey's EU accession would mean positive perception of EU by Islam world, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that it would also make Turkey, which could ensure co-existence of Islam culture and democracy, a model for Islam world.
Erdogan pointed out that process of many changes could start and said, ''that is, Huntington should not be proved to be right. He clashes civilizations. We should achieve intermingling and compromise of civilizations, not their conflict. We hope and believe that negotiation process will start in 2004. We have seen it in our contacts. We are fulfilling our obligations and we will pass the seventh EU adjustment package today. We should continue our walk on the road to EU with firm steps and hand in hand.''
Erdogan said, ''I can never forget these expressions in the Thessaloniki summit. They said that Turkey has astonished and excited them. They said that how those packages were passed in a short time and they added that they did not expect it from Turkey.''
''I hope that December 2004 would be a date when positive decision on Turkey would be taken and a new process will start as of January 1, 2005. I have full belief that the progress report to be unveiled in autumn will be very positive,'' Erdogan added.
(BRC-AÖ) 30.07.2003