BURSA - German Ambassador to Turkey Wolf-Ruthart Born said on Wednesday that Germany supported Turkey's European Union (EU) accession.
Born told reporters that view of German government about Turkey's EU membership was clear and obvious.
There might be different views in Germany about Turkey's EU membership, Born said.
However, Born noted, all Christian Democrats could not be considered as against Turkey's EU bid and all Social Democrats as supporting it.
Born stated that majority of the Greens favored beginning of political relations with Turkey and the same situation was also valid for the Social Democrats.
Some of Christian Democrats were supporting Turkey, Born pointed out.
Born said that Turkey had to meet Copenhagen criteria to join EU and stressed importance of implementation of reform package.
Stressing importance of Cyprus issue, Born recalled that ten new members, including Greek Cypriot side, would join EU by May 2004.
Therefore, Born said, EU wished that Cyprus issue would be solved before May 1.
Asked why EU officials were bringing onto agenda Cyprus issue in every opportunity although Cyprus was not one of political criteria, Born said that Greek Cypriot side would become a full member after May 1 and it would have the right to speak in EU.
Born said that Greek Cypriots would also have the right to veto when they joined EU and therefore, an agreement should be reached to prevent use of that right.
German Ambassador Born expressed his personal and government's view that a progress would be recorded on Turkey's path to EU membership.
Born stated that everybody could see that Turkish government was on the right path.
Turkey should complete its efforts, Born said, adding that Germany had positive views about Turkey.
(BRC-AÖ) 28.01.2004