BRUSSELS - National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said on Wednesday that Turkey called for full participation to European Security and Defense Policy (EDSP).
Gonul addressed a seminar on European Defense organized by European Liberal Democrat and Reform Group (ELDR).
Gonul said Turkey was considered as a part of the EU family, and thanked ELDR for the support it expended to Turkey's full membership to EU.
Gonul focused on importance of formation of EU defense, its esteem and future for Turkey which is a part of peace and security of Europe since Second World War. Pointing out the clashes experienced around Turkey and the clashes in its neighbors, Gonul said those were taken into consideration in foreign policy and defense policy, stating that efforts were exerted for good neighborhood relations.
Gonul stressed the contributions of Turkey to initiatives launched to prevent crises in international area, and gave Afghanistan, Kosovo, Georgia and Middle East as example. Gonul underlined command and technology abilities of Turkish Armed Forces.
Gonul pointed out the importance of formation and future of ESDP for Turkey, stating that Turkey, which is ready to contribute for fulfillment of ESDP project, and which calls for full participation to EU, constituted an exceptional opportunity for the EU with its experiences and abilities.
Stressing that strategic cooperation of NATO and the EU was important, Gonul said financial facilities should be increased for success and esteem in ESDP.
Gonul also stressed that NATO summit, which is scheduled to take place in Istanbul next year, would constitute an opportunity to determine new stage of NATO-EU strategic cooperation.
Gonul said Parliament authorized the government to send soldiers to Iraq, but that this decision did not absolutely mean that soldiers would be sent.
When a Greek Cypriot attendee talked about so-called 'Turkish invasion in Cyprus,' Gonul said that the historical realities and conditions in Cyprus were known. Gonul stressed that Turkey brought soldiers to the island by using its guarantor rights just like Greece stemming from London and Zurich Agreements and that was an obligation.
Gonul said that he hoped Turkey, Greece and Cyprus could send soldiers together one day within the same organization to keep peace in other regions.
Noting that EU countries limited their defense budgets after the end of the cold war, Gonul said that Turkey didn't have such a possibility due to its strategic position and the incidents taking place around it. Gonul stressed that Turkey, a NATO country, should not be isolated from European defense and European Security and Defense Policy and the cold war period should not be forgotten.
Gonul gave the message that Turkey's EU membership would solve many problems in defense field and NATO-EU relations.
Gonul will return to Turkey on Thursday.
(ÖŞ) 15.10.2003