ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson that EU's taking the decision of starting full membership negotiations with Turkey during the EU Summit in December 2004 was the basic target of Turkey in the coming period and Turkey expected Sweden's support in that regard.
Erdogan stressed that Sweden supported Turkey's EU membership bid.
Holding a joint news conference with Persson after their tete-a-tete meeting and meetings held between the two delegations, Erdogan said that the visit of Persson had special importance as it was the first official visit paid to Turkey at the level of prime ministry from Sweden.
Prime Minister Erdogan said that they exchanged views with Swedish Prime Minister about Turkey-EU relations, reform process, developments recorded in Turkey in the field of human rights, bilateral relations between Turkey and Sweden, and issues of Cyprus, Iraq, Middle East during the talks.
Erdogan said that he gave detailed information to Persson about the reforms undertaken recently by Turkey to abide by Copenhagen criteria, adding that ''I told him that Turkey adjusted its laws to EU Copenhagen political criteria and passed the critical threshold and it was determined to implement the reforms fully and efficiently this year. I told Prime Minister Persson that we attributed importance to be in close relation and contact with Sweden within our EU schedule in the coming period. We have determined with Mr. Persson that our bilateral relations with Sweden have developed and strengthened in every field.'' Prime Minister Erdogan stated that they were determined to further improve this cooperation which would serve mutual interests with concrete projects and with mutual high ranking visits.
When a Swedish journalist asked Erdogan what could Sweden do to support Turkey in its EU bid, Prime Minister Erdogan said that ''we've discussed this issue in detail. This is a process and Sweden supports us from the beginning. I hope Sweden's support will also continue in this process. We are becoming a family, we expect support in December. I hope Turkey can start its negotiation process with EU as of December 2004.''
PERSSON SAYS HE IS IMPRESSED BY TURKEY'S ATTITUDE IN FULFILLING COPENHAGEN CRITERIA
Persson expressed pleasure over the starting of Cyprus negotiations and stressed that the constructive role which Erdogan played in that regard was very important.
Persson said that Sweden was a strong advocate of EU enlargement process, adding that Sweden would continue its support to Turkey during the latter's preparatory process, in EU's taking the decision of starting membership negotiations with Ankara as of December 2004 and in Turkey's fulfillment of Copenhagen criteria.
''I appreciate very much the attitude and the program of how Turkey will fulfill the criteria to start accession talks,'' Persson said. He noted that Turkey's well preparations to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria and its taking many reforms in human rights were very important for Sweden.
Persson said that Erdogan told him that Turkey would complete some of its shortcomings in abiding by Copenhagen criteria in that process and this attitude could bring out very positive results.
Persson stated that it was not possible to say ''we automatically accept Turkey as a EU member,'' adding that EU Commission would give the decision.
Persson said that Sweden, which could be considered as a new member of EU, was ready to extent support to countries which were constructive and which walked on the right path honestly like Turkey.
Persson said that in case of a political and peaceful solution in Cyprus, it would have big effects on the international and political fields, adding that solution would constitute a model for bringing political and peaceful solution to other clashes in the world.
Upon another question about Cyprus, Persson said that Cyprus negotiation process would continue in a positive way.
Persson said that Sweden appreciated Turkey's taking initiative regarding various problems and disagreements in the Middle East and playing a constructive role with Syria.
Answering another question, Persson praised the good economy of Turkey.

(Öª) 17.02.2004