President Sezer: E.U. Full Membership Is Among Priorities Of Turkish Foreign Policy

ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that Turkey's full membership to European Union (EU) was among priorities of Turkish foreign policy.
Sezer addressed Parliamentary General Assembly on the occasion of opening of New Legislative Year.
Sezer said, ''joint political, economic and strategic interests connect Turkey and the EU. Comprehensive studies, required by our full membership to EU, are carried out by contributions of all the institutions of our country. Those reforms, which meet wishes and expectations of the Turkish nation in supremacy of law, and adopting contemporary values and criteria on human rights, and its implementation with a broad political and social support, are also pleasing.''
Sezer said necessary measures should be taken to control implementation of those reforms effectively, stating that it was also important that EU should fulfill its obligations against Turkey in time.
Sezer said Turkish nation expected to start full membership negotiations by the end of 2004 the latest.
(AY-AÖ) 01.10.2003