ANKARA - Deputy Parliament Speaker Ismail Alptekin said on Monday that Czech Republic's and Turkey's being a member of the European Union (EU) would not only bring benefits to Europe, but also contribute to world peace.
Alptekin received Czech Republic Parliament EU Adjustment Commission Chairman Pavel Sloboda and an accompanying delegation.
Alptekin said that he was very pleased to see a delegation of a friendly country in Turkey and stated that there had always been friendly relations between Turkey and Czech Republic and there was not any political problem between the two countries.
Stating that Turkey and Czech Republic were in the process of membership to the EU, Alptekin said that the government showed great determination in the EU adjustment process. He added that the parliament passed important laws for EU adjustment and it would continue to pass them. Alptekin said that they also wanted to further improve economic relations between the two countries and stated that Turkey had an important position in its region due to its strategic location and background.
He stressed that if Czech Republic wanted to open to the Middle East and Asia, it should further improve its bilateral relations with Turkey.
Stressing that there were cooperation opportunities in tourism sector and defense industry between the two countries, Alptekin said that Czech Republic should ease visa procedures for Turkish citizens.
Sloboda said that they understood well the process that Turkey was going through today as they earlier started membership negotiations with the EU and stated that they could share their experiences on the issue with Turkey, if wanted.
Stating that Czech Republic explained itself to all EU member countries prior to the negotiation process with the EU, Sloboda said that Turkey should also do the same thing.
Sloboda said that they invited Turkish Parliament EU Adjustment Commission to Czech Republic and stated that they wanted to assist Turkey in every issue as they believed that Turkey's accession to the EU was not only necessary, but also beneficial.
(EÖ-AÖ) 27.10.2003