ISKENDERUN - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Tuesday that he was sure that Turkey would meet conditions for accession to European Union (EU).
German Chancellor Schroeder and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated Sugozu Thermic Power Plant in Iskenderun town of southern province of Hatay.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Schroeder said he saw that Turkey considered EU full membership seriously.
Stressing that the power plant, which was a 1.5 billion U.S. dollars investment, was the biggest German project in Turkey, Schroeder said that this proved that Turkey was an attractive investment country.
Schroeder said Turkey was still considered as a reliable energy source due to its rich coal reserves, noting that this source could be used without giving damage to environment thanks to German technology.
Schroeder said Erdogan told him that the power plant would meet seven percent of Turkey's need, stressing that Turkey could benefit from German technology for establishment of new power plants and renovation of the old ones.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said that there was need for foreign investment for development and stated that they would pass necessary laws and attract foreign investors to Turkey.
Guler said that there were some recent news stories which said that coal-fired plants harmed environment and added that high technology was used in those plants.
Later, Erdogan and Schroeder pushed the button and opened the plant to service.
The power plant was a joint venture of German Steag AG and Power AG. The power plant will produce nine billion kilowatt hour electricity.
Nearly 17 international institutions provided loan to the establishment of the installation. The construction of the power plant started in 2000 and was completed in 2003.
(AY-EÖ-AÖ) 24.02.2004