WASHINGTON D.C. - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey and the U.S. shared common views in protection of international peace and stability.
Referring to relations between Turkey and U.S in his address at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Erdogan said that the two countries shared common values such as democracy, free market and rule of law and they made cooperation in institutions like UN, NATO and developed strong relations.
Regarding international peace and stability, Erdogan said that ''the developments that took place after Sept. 11 attacks showed that our cooperation does not only contribute to international peace, but it is also a necessity in line with our interests. Turkey and the U.S. share common views in protection of international peace and stability. This understanding requires launching efforts to make international peace and stability prevail in the world by refraining from all sorts of behaviours that could justify the view of 'conflict among civilizations.' Turkey, which is the only NATO country having Muslim population and which is an EU candidate, has a special importance in that regard.''
Stressing that Turkey hoped EU to appreciate the reforms and initiatives taken by Turkey for its EU bid and to start negotiations with Turkey at the end of 2004, Erdogan said that ''I have no doubt that the steps we take for putting into practice the legal amendments we've made will speed up this process.''
ERDOGAN: CYPRUS IS NOT A POLITICAL CRITERIA IN TURKEY'S ACCESSION TO EU
Upon questions about Cyprus and Turkey's EU bid, Erdogan said that ''Cyprus is not a political criteria in Turkey's joining the EU. It is a factor. We, as the guarantor state in Cyprus, favour solution. Studies should be started by taking Annan plan as reference. TRNC will always be one step further than Greek Cypriot side by its attitude. We are determined to sort out this issue with good will, we are resolved in it.''
Erdogan said that after Turkey's fulfillment of its obligations, the decision about Turkey's membership would belong to EU in December 2004. ''What kind of a stance will Greek Cypriot side assume? What will the concerned countries do? Will the 40-year embargo be lifted? It is not possible to understand this embargo in respect of human rights. The process continues until May 1, and we are launching efforts to reach a solution until that date. This is the atmosphere in TRNC.''
Erdogan noted that if Greek Cypriot side and Greece were persuaded, the Turkish side would not be behind, adding that if the other side also had good will, the problem would be sorted out.
Upon a question about approach for a federation in Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Erdogan said that ''giving a name to this issue will come out during the negotiations. Federation and confederation were discussed a lot. A result will be reached through negotiations and by positive approach.'' Erdogan noted that yet Turkey didn't approve resorting to referendum without reaching agreement on a document of compromise.
When asked about the recent situation between Turkey and Greece about Aegean Sea, Erdogan said that ''it is not right to talk about it now, the negotiations are carried out by mutual understanding and success. The atmosphere of tolerance between Turkey and Greece increases. Increase in the air corridors from 2 to 11, abolishment of double taxation and manoeuvres are sign of it. Now there is election atmosphere in Greece. We will get results of this process after the elections.''
ERDOGAN: WE DON'T APPROVE APPROACH FOR A FEDERATE KURDISH STATE IN IRAQ
Erdogan said that the existence of the terrorist organization PKK in Iraq continued, adding that ''it is the right of a strategic ally to expect the U.S.'s imposing sanctions.''
Erdogan also evaluated the developments in Iraq and noted that ''we don't approve the approach for federate Kurdish state in Iraq. A federal structure based on ethnic origin or sect will destroy Iraq. The territorial integrity of Iraq has to be maintained. The whole Iraqi people should share the natural resources. Besides giving a certain region to a certain ethnic structure is detrimental.''
When asked about the situation of the strategic partnership with the U.S., Erdogan recalled that Turkey permitted the military rotation from Iraq by using Incirlik base.
Erdogan noted that 60,000 American soldiers would be rotated until May, adding that he hoped the strategic partnership with the U.S. would continue.
ERDOGAN: ISLAM DOES NOT APPROVE TERRORISM
Upon a question about Muslims after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., Erdogan said that ''our religion does not have an open door to terrorism. The things done have nothing to do with Islam.''
Prime Minister Erdogan said that great progress was recorded after Sept. 11 attacks, adding that those who helped in the terrorist attack that took place in Istanbul last November were caught in a very short time. Erdogan said that efforts continued to find out the connections of those terrorists, adding that no monotheistic religion could extend support to terrorism.
Answering a question about the difficulties of Motorola company, Erdogan said that he didn't discuss this issue with American officials yet.
Recalling that the U.S. delegations which came to Istanbul met with the officials of Motorola executive board, Erdogan said that ''we, as the executive, did our task, we can't interfere with the judiciary. But we are a sensitive country regarding the negative repercussions of incidents on international relations.''
When asked his view about putting forward textile as a condition regarding the qualified industry zones planned to be set up with the U.S., Erdogan said that this issue would be taken up during the meetings between the delegations of Turkey and U.S. Erdogan said that Turkey would pursue this goal till the end, adding that there could be some new re-assessments.
''We can say ready-to-wear clothing rather than textile, We can say shoes, rather than leather. Our hope is to get a positive result,'' Erdogan said.
ERDOGAN: TURKEY EXPECTS AMERICAN INVESTORS TO CHOOSE TURKEY AS BASE OF EXPORTING GOODS TO OTHER COUNTRIES
Erdogan noted that comprehensive studies were undertaken regarding the economic problems of Turkey and the things that needed to be done were fixed under a certain programme at the national and international level.
Erdogan said that carrying out relations with international finance institutions, industrial institutions and international organizations on a sound basis was taken as the basic principle as Turkey knew that foreign capital would contribute significantly to Turkish economy.
Erdogan said that drawing direct foreign capital to Turkey carried great importance, adding that ''tax incentives, free zones, less red-tape are important factors to draw foreign capital. But the determining factor is the existence of a dynamic market which is also economically and politically stable. The result we took after the Nov. 3 elections in Turkey shows that there is a convenient atmosphere in Turkey for fulfillment of all these conditions.''
Noting that Turkish economy entered into a rapid development process after the economic crises in 2000 and 2001 with a new economic programme, Erdogan noted that the economic success reached in economy despite the Iraqi crisis showed that economy developed on a sound basis.
Recalling that world economic circles appreciated the remarkable performance of Turkish economy in 2003, and the determined and stable policies pursued, Erdogan said that citizens also felt the recovery in economy.
Erdogan said that the growth rate which was targeted as 3 percent in 2002 became 7.8 percent, Turkey was among the rapidly growing economies of the world with China, it was ranked the first among OECD countries in respect of economic growth performance, it reached the target of 5 percent growth at the end of 2003 and the non-interest surplus target was also attained.
Erdogan stated that the government was successful in fight with inflation, underlining that the annual inflation target in 2004 was 12 percent and it was a single digit number in 2005. He stressed that a stable increasing trend was seen in growth and the exports of Turkey increased by 32.4 percent when compared to the previous year.
Referring to the success of the debenture bond issued to foreign markets in the beginning of January, Erdogan said that the public net debt stock which reached 92 percent of the national income in 2001 was expected to decrease to 70 percent as of the end of 2003 due to implementation of strict fiscal policy and budget discipline. Erdogan said therefore Maastricht economic criteria would be reached soon.
Giving information about the reform studies, Erdogan said that the Law on Direct Foreign Investment went into force in 2003 and noted that preparations were underway for formation of ''Investment Promotion Agency'' in that regard.
Erdogan said that the country could not use well its advantage of drawing direct foreign investment sufficiently to date, noting ''the direct foreign capital that flowed to Turkey between 1995-2000 was 750 million dollars on average annually, meaning it was only 0.5 percent of the national income. This is really disappointing.''
''One of the important steps taken to end this disappointment is the Investor Advisory Council which will convene in March. The Council will bring together the administrators of international companies. The additional measures that needed to be taken will be determined,'' he said.
Referring to privatization, Erdogan said that ''the previous performance of Turkey in privatization and sector liberalization policies is not at the desired level. But a new period has started, many sectors in which the state has earlier played a basic role are opening to competition. The monopoly rights of Turkish Telecom in telecommunication sector have ended as of January 1, 2004 and the sector has been opened to free competition. Efforts are also underway to open the energy sector to competition.''
Calling on American investors and government, Prime Minister Erdogan said that ''we expect American investors to choose Turkey as a base in exporting goods to other countries and we expect the American administration to encourage the American investors in this direction.''
Erdogan said that Turkey turned into a energy corridor due to the need to transport Middle Eastern and Caspian basin hydrocarbon resources to international markets. ''Turkey will be an important terminal of world energy circles after fully putting the oil and natural gas pipeline projects into practice. We expect American companies to make more investment in this field with Turkish partners,'' he said.
Erdogan noted that American investors should be encouraged to undertake common initiatives with Turkish companies in third countries, giving an example the success of Turkish companies which carried out 90 percent of construction projects in Afghanistan.
Referring to Iraq, Erdogan said that ''giving priority to Turkish companies in rebuilding of Iraq and preferring Turkish companies in forming partnerships will further develop the bilateral cooperation with the U.S.''
Erdogan said that doing business with Turkish companies in Iraq was advantageous due to Turkey's geographical closeness to Iraq, its cultural similarities, the talent and capacity of Turkish companies.
Reminding the support given to American companies working in Turkey by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Erdogan said that OPIC supported 39 projects worth of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in Turkey.
Erdogan said that necessary steps were taken to improve the investment environment in Turkey, and ended his words saying ''Turkey, which expects flow of foreign investment with the reforms undertaken, the performance recorded, the trust and stability reached; gives foreign investors the opportunity of forming partnerships with Turkish companies in the region and opening to new markets.''
(AA) 28.01.2004