ISTANBUL - Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt said on Tuesday that European Union (EU) Progress Report which would be announced on Wednesday could stress several deficiencies, noting that Turkey should not be discouraged with this report. He said on the contrary, the report should be considered as a road map and that practices should continue courageously.
Verhofstadt, who made a statement at luncheon hosted by Turkish-Belgian Business Council, said there were concerns in Europe that Turkey's membership would cause sudden migration movements. He said those concerns were unnecessary.
Recalling that there were concerns 20 years ago saying that membership of Spain and Portugal would cause very big migration waves, Verhofstadt said those two countries fulfilled economic growth and became countries getting migration.
Verhofstadt said other concerns in EU's enlargement process was related to new geographical borders of the EU, and with population, stressing that EU's borders would be enlarged after Turkey's accession, and that they would become neighbors of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia and Georgia.
Verhofstadt said Turkey's population was more than total of the population of 10 new countries that would be members of the EU next year.
Verhofstadt said there were concerns that unemployment would increase with Turkey's accession and that trade would be affected negatively.
Verhofstadt said Belgium supported Turkey's EU membership, stressing that Turkey would be treated equally in entering the EU like the other 12 countries.
The guest minister said there were several concerns in the past toward Justice and Development Party (AK Party) administration, noting that the developments showed that those concerns were not right.
Mentioning Cyprus problem, Verhofstadt said it was important to find a solution to this problem, but that negotiations should not be interrupted in case a solution could not be found.
Verhofstadt said finding a solution till May 2004 would accelerate Turkey's membership process, adding that their support on EU membership would continue.
Verhofstadt said Belgian crown prince Philippe would visit Turkey in the first week of next May, adding that he would be accompanied by a crowded group of businessmen delegation.
(AY) 04.11.2003