ANKARA - The European Union (EU) Communication Group which was formed to promote Turkey in its EU process convened on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.
Prior to the meeting, Gul told reporters that the group aimed to take support of European public opinion for Turkey's EU membership target.
Stating that a part of European public opinion approached Turkey's membership ''cold'', Gul said that a part of this approach was stemming from wrong information and prejudices and another part of this approach was related to image problems stemming from mistakes of Turkey.
Gul said that Turkey was very different now when compared to the past and stated that today's Turkey was a Turkey which was modernizing.
Stating that at the point reached, there was a need for mobilization which would take new Turkey to its EU target, he said that efforts for promotion should be exerted on the issue that EU would become a more powerful structure with Turkey's accession to the Union.
Gul noted that the group prepared an action plan and stated that they convened today to approve this plan.
Stating that main lines of communication strategy which would be followed till December 2004 EU summit were determined, he said that target audience was determined and separate projects were developed for each.
Gul said that that the group would enter an effective activity period and noted that a timetable and a fund would be formed within the scope of activities.
Stating that Turkey should make good use of its opportunities, he said that four or five steps would be taken on the issue and those things would be fulfilled within one or two months.
State Minister Besir Atalay, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the Executive Board President of the Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD) Executive Board Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and other officials attended the meeting.
(EÖ-AÖ) 05.11.2003