ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that European Union (EU) should take its decision on Turkey that year.
Gul hosted a luncheon in honor of ambassadors of EU member and candidate countries to Turkey at the Hilton Hotel as Ireland took over EU term presidency.
Foreign Minister Gul said that EU could no more delay its decision on Turkey.
Gul stated that decision on Turkey's membership had been delayed since 1989 and noted that Turkey had been kept waiting more than necessary.
''EU should take its decision on Turkey this year. It should make its decision only on basis of Copenhagen criteria as it does for other candidate countries. Turkey expects EU to take a common decision about our common future in December. This decision can no more be delayed,'' Gul said.
Gul pointed out that EU put forth several arguments in order to delay that decision.
Some of those arguments did not have positive impact on the esteem of the Union, Gul noted.
Gul said, ''I hope EU will make right analysis about its main interests in Turkey before it takes its final decision in December.''
The years 2000 and 2001 were preparatory years and the year 2002 and 2003 were the years of implementation after the 1999 Helsinki Summit, Gul stated.
Gul noted that the year 2004 would be the year of not only implementation but also a year of decision for Turkey and EU.
The government would continue to take steps determinedly in order to meet remaining political criteria, Gul emphasized.
Gul added, ''we are aware of our homework and we know about EU's priorities.''
Foreign Minister Gul also informed ambassadors about reforms in Turkey.
(BRC-AY) 22.01.2004