ERDOGAN MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF TURKISH ASSOCIATIONS
BRUSSELS - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is currently in Brussels, met on Thursday with representatives of Turkish associations in Belgium.
The meeting was held in Turkish Embassy in Brussels. Belgian politicians of Turkish origin also attended the meeting.
The meeting was close to the press.
Erdogan said in the news conference that they discussed institutional issues within the scope of the EU Intergovernmental Conference and they took up issues such as architecture of EP in the future, roles of EU Council and Council President, and qualified majority voting system.
``Turkey`s views are very close to the possible points of compromise. We explained that Turkey extends support to institutional reforms which will enable the EU to work more effectively. While doing this, we wanted determination of duties and responsibilities in a clear way and respecting the equality principle among member-countries,`` Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that issues of strengthening freedom, security and justice fields of EU, revival of EU economy would be taken up in the EU summit, adding that he would be informed about the decisions and views to be taken about these issues during the luncheon on Friday and explain the views of Turkey.
Erdogan said that issues of Iraq and the Middle East came to front during the luncheon the same day, and the fact that a compromise was reached among France, Germany and Russia in U.N. Security Council also came to agenda.
Prime Minister Erdogan said that he also met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, EU Commission President Romano Prodi, and EU high commissioner Javier Solona.
Noting that the EU`s approach about the Iraqi issue was positive and that he believed it would become more positive after the developments in the U.N. Security Council, Erdogan said that ``after the parliament approved the motion, we gave the authority to General Staff to carry out studies in this issue. This study goes on in coordination with Foreign Ministry. Regarding the negotiations held with the U.S., the ball is in their yard. We`ll see what kind of an attitude they will assume in this issue. We explained our views about Iraq from the beginning. If there is a U.N. Security Council resolution, this will certainly ease things. Our government got permission from the parliament. We launch efforts to know the things which we can do for prosperity and happiness of Iraqis. We carry out our preparations by the means of General Staff.``
Upon a question about Cyprus, Erdogan said that ``we didn`t reject Annan plan. Turkey, as a guarantor state finds Annan plan, as debatable. It has both negative and positive aspects. It can be negotiated and steps can be taken. We want to underline another fact:there are positive steps taken by Denktas since April: Proposal of opening of Maras region to South Cyprus, opening of the border gate between the two countries, starting of free trade in Northern Cyprus, and proposing to open Lefkosa Airport. Despite all these, there is the negative approach of South. We must take them all as a whole.``
Erdogan said that he congratulated Ilham Aliyev after the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, adding that the incident which took place in that country were sad.
He added that British Prime Minister Tony Blair thanked him as no unpleasant incident took place during the Turkish-English soccer match.
TURKISH DISTRICT
Erdogan visited Schaerbeek district in Brussels called ``Turkish district.``
Almost 15 thousand Turks or Belgian citizens with Turkish origin are living in Schaerbeek. Many Turks are also living in Saint Josse near Schaerbeek.
Erdogan, who is in Brussels to attend European Union (EU) Summit and Intergovernmental Conference, addressed the citizens and said that Turkey was in a process of change and economic problems were being overcome.
Stating that there were many opportunities for Turkish and foreign investors in Turkey, Erdogan said that the government paid the way of investors and called on Turkish citizens living abroad to invest in Turkey.
Erdogan said that Republic of Turkey was a democratic, secular and social state of law.
Efforts were exerted to strengthen ties of Turks living in Europe with Turkey, Erdogan pointed out.
Stating that Turkish existence in Western Europe went back to 40 years ago, Erdogan said that there should no more be ``integration problem.``
Erdogan said that tens of thousands of Turks became Belgian citizens and that number would increase.
Every Turk living abroad were ``honorary ambassadors``, Erdogan emphasized.
Erdogan asked Turks living in Belgium to bring Belgian people to Turkey and contribute to promotion of Turkey.
Turks who met with Prime Minister Erdogan demanded that problems they faced in customs gates in Bulgaria and Ipsala should be solved, car import to Turkey should be permitted and an airport should be opened in Aegean Afyon province.
Erdogan promised that problems in customs gates would be overcome next summer.
Stating that significant investments were made in automotive industry in Turkey, Erdogan said that exports were supported.
Erdogan said that airports were constructed in case it was considered a fruitful and necessary investment but that there were airports near Afyon.
(BRC) 16.10.2003