VIENNA - Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said that the reforms undertaken by Turkey were appreciated abroad, adding that he got positive messages about Turkey's EU membership during his visit to Austria.
Arinc, who completed his official visit to Austria as the guest of Austrian Parliament Speaker Andreas Khol, held a news conference in Turkish Embassy in Vienna and assessed his visit.
Noting that a Turkish Parliament Speaker visited Austria for the first time after nine years, Arinc said that his Austrian counterparts were very pleased with his visit.
Arinc recalled that he met with Austrian President Thomas Klestil, Austrian Parliament Speaker Khol, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel, deputy parliament speaker Heinz Fischer and Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero.
Arinc said that he also met with representatives of Turkish community living in Austria, adding that he had positive meetings in respect of the future of Turkey-Austria relations. Arinc said he saw that Austria appreciated the steps taken and reforms made by Turkey for its EU membership bid.
Arinc said that Austrian officials also asked him information about Cyprus and Iraq and the visit of Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad to Turkey, and that he gave them information.
Arinc noted that consensus was also reached during his meetings for exerting efforts to sort out complaints between the two countries such as visa, student expenses, citizenship, education and religious services.
''This visit has been very friendly, and we've reached consensus of opinion to further improve the relations between the two countries and to continue contacts at all levels,'' he added.
When asked what kind of messages he received about Turkey's getting a date to start full membership negotiations for the EU, Arinc said, ''we have explained to all officials how important for Turkey is to take negotiation date as the of 2004 in the aspects of history, economy, geography and mission of Turkey. They have approached with an understanding manner. They have appreciated the reforms fulfilled in Turkey. But they have said that whether giving a negotiation date to Turkey or not depends on the report to be prepared and they hope the report will be positive and it will be beneficial for Turkey to continue reforms without thinking these issues. The message we have received is enough.''
Upon a question whether Austria supported Turkey's EU membership, Arinc said, ''during our meetings, Schussel and other officials have made positive speeches. But they did not say Turkey will certainly get negotiation date in the end of 2004. We were also not expecting such a statement. In diplomatical aspect, we generally have not faced with an intention statement at the moment. But in general point of view, we think that the message we have received is positive for Turkey. This message is given to us by other countries as well. Because, Turkey deserved this. Parliament has fulfilled revolutionary reforms which have not been made for 40 years. We saw that all European countries and the countries of the world envy this.''
Upon another question, Arinc said that he had not seen a fear against Turkey in Austria and other European countries he visited.
Arinc said that he did not think that the things happened in the past would have effects on current and future political developments.
(Öª-GC-AY) 21.01.2004