Erdogan: Turkey Expects To Start Negotiations With E.U. In December 2004

ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey expected to start full membership negotiations with the European Union (EU) in December 2004.
Erdogan replied questions of foreign journalists after meeting with Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio.
When asked about approach of Portugal to Turkey's full membership process to EU, Erdogan said the two countries worked in solidarity.
Replying a question when Turkey was expecting to start full membership negotiations with the EU, Erdogan said, ''we expect to start full membership negotiation in December 2004. We carry out preparations.''
(AY) 15.09.2003