PRODI: THIS CENTER WILL BE THE MEETING POINT BETWEEN TURKISH SOCIETY AND EU

ISTANBUL - European Union (EU) Commission President Romano Prodi said on Friday that EU Istanbul Information Center would be a meeting point between Turkish society and the Union.
EU Istanbul Information Center was opened in Taksim district of Istanbul with a ceremony held with the participation of Prodi, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, head of EU Commission Representation to Turkey Hansjorg Kretschmer, State Minister Mehmet Aydin, Turkey's Armenians Patriarch Mesrob II and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prodi said that all information about EU could be reached from this center.
Stressing that Turkish government was carrying out work to inform people, Prodi said that but the important thing was to convince people and public opinion of the issue. Prodi said that people could reach any information about the Union and noted that it would be possible to explain what the EU was especially to youths.
Prodi invited Turkish people to this center and said that Turkish people could benefit from information to be provided by this center.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gul said that 2004 meant a very critical process for Turkey and stated that's why they should give Turkish people better information about the EU.
''Most of Turkish people support EU, but there is still things to do. We should explain well what the EU is to our people. This center will also contribute to removal of wrong information and prejudices about Turkey. I believe that this center will serve for EU to be explained well,'' Gul stated.
Kretschmer said that this center was the Union's first official center in Turkey and stated that he hoped that this center would host meetings between Turkey and the EU.
Four experts who have experience on issues concerning the Union will work in the center. Experts will give answers on many issues including EU's financial support, Turkey's participation in EU programs, enlargement, EU policies and education possibilities by phone, e-mail and fax. People who will come to the center can make search on 10 computers. Meetings and seminars will also be held in the center.
(EÖ-UK) 16.01.2004