ERDOGAN: TURKISH PEOPLE HAVE CONCENTRATED ON TARGET OF EU MEMBERSHIP
DAVOS - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ''Turkish people together with its government, parliament, opposition parties and non-governmental organizations have concentrated on the target of the European Union (EU) membership.''
Making the closing remarks of the World Economic Forum in Davos city of Switzerland on Saturday, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''most of Turkish people have been supporting the EU membership. Public support is not that high in many of EU-member countries.''
''Turkey is about to enter one of the most critical turning points in its EU membership process. The EU's taking a positive decision on setting a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey is of great importance in regard to its displaying its will to consider Turkey one of its members,'' he stressed.
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Turkish people have been extending great support to Turkey's EU membership process. Because, our people know that a political power respecting its values and assimilating the national identity, has been ruling the country. The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and our government having a conservative democrat political identity, have been extending efforts to remove hesitations of our people. Our people are ready to accept all kinds of changes with the condition of protection of their own values. Turkish people together with its government, parliament, opposition parties and non-governmental organizations have concentrated on the target of the EU membership.''
Noting that public surveys had revealed that 75 percent of population in Turkey was in favor of Turkey's EU membership, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''we are aware that we have to fulfill political criteria of the EU before starting accession talks. Legal reforms have been completed considerably. Turkey will fulfill its responsibilities by putting into practice the adjustment packages without any delay in 2004,'' he added.
ERDOGAN: A DEMOCRATIC STRUCTURE BASED ON ETHNICITY OR ON RELIGIOUS SECTS WILL NOT BE A HEALTHY STRUCTURE
Erdogan said, ''there are some ethnic elements requesting formation of a federative structure in Iraq. We consider it wrongful. A democratic structure based on ethnicity or religious sects will not be a healthy structure. Also, it will be wrongful to hold immediate general elections. First of all, a constitution including all sections of the Iraqi people should be prepared. Later, a population census should be held with the support of an international organization. Then, general elections can be held.''
Highlighting importance of protection of Iraq's territorial integrity, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''ethnic elements should not be allowed to be dominant over each other. Iraq's natural resources should belong to all Iraqi people. If all these can be achieved, I believe that Iraq will take its place among democratic countries. We told the relevant sides, especially the United States, that Turkey is ready to make all kinds of contributions to physical and political structure of Iraq. This issue will be brought onto agenda during my visit to the United States next week.''
ERDOGAN: WE DO NOT CONSIDER INSOLUBILITY A SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS ISSUE
Erdogan said, '' the Cyprus issue is neither a pre-condition for Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process nor a part of the Copenhagen political criteria. I can define it as a de facto situation.''
''According to our point of view, any attempt to leave negotiation table is not correct. On the contrary, we advocate resumption of negotiation process. We are very determined to this end. Now, we have been taking some steps to strengthen our determination,'' he said.
Recalling that he had held a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan earlier in the day, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''during the meeting, I said that resumption of the negotiation process with appointment of a mediator having a sound political experience who could be accepted by both sides in the island, will be beneficial.''
''As for the second important step, we will display our good will over text of compromise. I told Mr. Annan that he does not need to worry about the Turkish Cypriot side. We have put forward another proposal. You will see that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be ahead of all steps to be taken by the Greek Cypriot side. As guarantor country, Turkey will fulfill all its responsibilities to this end. We want this process to come to an end till May 1, 2004,'' he added.
ERDOGAN: AK PARTY IS A POLITICAL PARTY OF MASS ON CONSERVATIVE BASIS
Erdogan said, ''the general elections of November 3, 2002, constituted a milestone in political history of the Republic of Turkey. The AK Party, which was founded in the first years of the new millennium, has come to political power with a great majority in such a short period of time. There are just a few examples of such a political success in the history of the world. The AK Party symbolizes a new style of politics and a new understanding in the political life in Turkey. The AK Party is a political party of mass on conservative basis.''
''Turkey constitutes a bridge between the east and the west, between the Islam and the Christianity, and between Europe and Asia. Both eastern and western countries appreciated co-existence of Turkey's secular and democratic structure and Islamic traditions,'' he emphasized.
Prime Minister Erdogan also gave information to participants about recent economic reforms in Turkey.
''Besides our efforts to fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria, we have also been expending great efforts to improve our economy in line with the EU's economic criteria. I can list our economic priorities as sustainable growth in economy, decrease in inflation, and decrease in ratio of public debt stock to gross national product. Protection of independence of the Central Bank and settlement of an atmosphere of confidence have played important roles in provision of a decrease in inflation,'' he said.
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''it is correct that foreign trade deficit has risen. However, we do not worry about it since our tourism revenues increased up to nine billion U.S. dollars. We have concentrated our efforts on making our growth sustainable. Our growth rate in 2003 will be 5.3 percent.''

(UK-MS) 25.01.2004