BERLIN - Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Turkey's new Ambassador in Berlin, presented his letter of credence to German President Johannes Rau.
Irtemcelik later hosted a reception in Embassy building.
Speaking to reporters after the reception, Irtemcelik said Turkish-EU relations, Turkish-German relations, and situation of Turkish citizens living in Germany were discussed during his meeting with Rau.
Irtemcelik said Rau told him that they were impressed by the reforms in Turkey, and that they hoped a positive result to be obtained for Turkey in 2004 after implementation of those reforms.
Irtemcelik said he told Rau that a result could be reached by working together, and that Turkey acted by being aware of its obligations.
Noting that initiation of membership negotiations between Turkey and the EU was a strategic decision and that 2004 was a year promising important developments, Irtemcelik said, ''I said Turkey's EU membership should be evaluated with in a broader vision and that we believed that Europe would not make a mistake under the leadership of Germany.''
Irtemcelik called for the Turkish citizens living in Germany to work more and adjust with the society without losing their identities.
(AY) 16.10.2003