ANKARA - German Ambassador to Turkey Wolf Ruthart Born visited on Tuesday True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar.
Speaking during the meeting, Born said that 2004 was a very important year for Turkey-EU relations. Born said he visited DYP leader to learn the views of DYP administrators about various issues prior to the local elections in Turkey.
Noting that German-Turkish relations could not be better than this, Born said that German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer would come to Turkey soon. Born said that Fischer would reiterate the support of Germany to EU membership of Turkey during his visit. Born added that the German main opposition leader would also visit Turkey.
Pointing out that German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder would visit Turkey with a broad businessmen delegation in February, Born said that Schroeder would voice Germany's desire to further improve economic relations between the two countries. Born said that Turkey was among Germany's important trade partners, 3 million German tourists visited Turkey every year and 1100 German companies carried out activities in Turkey.
Agar said in his part that 2004 year would be a determining one in respect of Turkey's relations with the EU, adding that the support of Germany, which is like a locomotive of EU, to Turkey would continue. Agar said that DYP would continue its positive policy about EU.
(Öª-AY) 20.01.2004