Arinc: Turkey Is One Of Founders Of Countless Institutions In Europe And One Of Oldest Members Of Nato

BUDAPEST - Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc has said, ''Turkey is one of founders of countless institutions in Europe and one of the oldest members of NATO. Although its population is mainly Muslim, Turkey is a secular and modern European country.''
Arinc, who is currently in Hungarian capital Budapest to attend the 16th conference of European Parliament President and Parliament Speakers of Candidate Countries in Hungarian capital Budapest, said on Wednesday, ''Turkey's productive and influential contributions to both convention and intergovernmental conference process, are the signs of its belief in the European Union (EU).''
''Turkey has made a series of significant reforms to fulfil Copenhagen political criteria after its candidacy to the EU was officially announced at the Helsinki Summit of 1999. Our government has taken all necessary measures to put these reforms in the practice fully and influentially. We expect the EU to set a date at its summit in December of 2004 for opening of accession talks with Turkey,'' he said.
Arinc kept on saying, ''we hope that the EU would take a right decision by displaying a far-sighted approach. When Turkey becomes a member of the EU, it will have a more powerful position to affect its neighboring countries on human rights, democracy and main principles of rule of law. In that case, Turkey can make vital contributions to the EU in its efforts to settle universal peace and welfare. Turkey's membership will be beneficial to the EU in strategic and military aspects. Turkey is one of founders of countless institutions in Europe and one of the oldest members of NATO. Although its population is mainly Muslim, Turkey is a secular and modern European country. When Turkey becomes a member of the EU, it will pay a key role in providing compromise among civilizations with its privileged identity.''
Meanwhile, speaking at the conference, European Parliament President Pat Cox said that Turkey had recorded considerable progress in the last two years, adding that he predicted that the EU would set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey.
Following the conference, Arinc partook in a luncheon hosted by President Ferenc Madl of Hungary in honor of guest parliament speakers.
(UK-AÖ) 04.02.2004