MADRID - We don`t think Turkey slowed down in (entry) talks with EU, said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an interview with Spanish El Pais newspaper issued on Thursday.
Noting that the speed of reforms in Turkey has a good rhythm, Erdogan said, ``we have to spend at least 10 years for negotiations. We have met expectations to start entry talks. Now, we don`t think we hung back in these talks.``
He stressed that all isolations imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) must be lifted before Turkey opens its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels and planes. The address of a resolution of Cyprus question is the United Nations and Secretary General Kofi Annan, he added.
Regarding Turkey`s energy policies, Erdogan said that Turkey needs new energy sources to guarantee its economic growth.
He stressed that general elections in Turkey will be held in 2007 as it was envisioned.