ANKARA - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said on Monday that terrorism was the common enemy of Turkey and Germany and added that two countries should fight together against their common enemy.
Fischer told private NTV channel that they were shocked when they heard about the attacks in Istanbul and expressed deep sorrow over the attacks.
They did not know why Turkey was chosen as a sight of attacks, Fischer said.
When recalled about views that attacks were staged since Turkey had a secular Western system, Fischer said that he did not knew what the intention of terrorists were but this could be one of their intentions.
They should walk ahead with Turkey and their friends in Europe, Fischer stated.
Fischer said that making a country modern was the common interest of everybody.
Noting that they should support each other for that, Fischer said Turkey was a very important country.
When he was recalled about the statements that Turkey had not received necessary support in fight against terrorism, Fischer said that they had close cooperation in fight against terrorism and they had efforts in international platforms.
Stressing that fight against international terrorism was very important, Fischer said that cooperation of intelligence units and police was of utmost importance.
Fischer said that terrorist attacks targeted at not only innocent people but also basic principles like democracy and individual freedoms.
They should strengthen their basic principles in fight against terrorism, Fischer emphasized.
Asked about Turkey's European Union (EU) process, Fischer said that Turkey should progress on enlargement process by taking Helsinki and Copenhagen resolutions as basis.
Fischer said that Turkey should accelerate reform process and their implementation.
EU Commission's progress report for 2004 would play a determining role in process of opening negotiations with Turkey, Fischer noted.
Fischer pointed out that a year was not very important in politics of Europe and said that they would support Turkey in that process.
German Foreign Minister Fischer recommended Turkey to progress as soon as possible and accelerate implementation of reforms and said that convincing the Commission was very important.
When asked about views that terrorism would also enter EU as Turkey joined EU, Fischer said that he was shocked when he first heard that and added that it was very absurd to link terrorism process with negotiation process.
(BRC-AÖ) 24.11.2003