ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted a lunch in the honour of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Monday.
Speaking before the lunch, Erdogan said that the visit of Schroeder took place in a period which carried importance in respect of Turkey-EU relations, thanking Schroeder for the support he extended to Turkey's EU bid.
''I believe and trust that you will continue extending support to us in a more effective way in the coming critical period. We attach great importance to Germany's being a country that supports Turkey particularly in the period until December,'' said Erdogan.
Erdogan noted that there had been critical periods in Turkey-EU relations since Luxembourg summit, adding that ''we want to leave behind the critical years and periods in our relations, and we hope the year 2005 will be a normal one.''
Erdogan stressed that the relations between Turkey and EU passed by mutual commitments made for 40 years, adding that ''we must go further and put those commitments into practice.''
Pointing out to the important process which Turkey passed through since Helsinki Summit, Erdogan said that ''the list of the things we must do gets shorter everyday. The image of Turkey which was full of political and economic indefiniteness for those who looked at Turkey from outside in that period, leaves itself to trust today.''
Noting that all of the reforms were made and would continue to be made for Turkey and prosperity of Turkish people, Erdogan said that ''Turkey can't return back from the reforms taken in political and economic field. The target of integration with EU, reaching more advanced, modern and democratic standards has been fully accepted by our public opinion and we can only go further after this point.'' Erdogan stated that they wanted to act as two strategic partners with EU while doing that, adding that ''our priority for that is to start negotiations in December. We will fulfill the shortcomings in respect of political criteria which will constitute the basis for starting of negotiations and open the way for EU to take that decision.''
''We also respect views of some circles which express doubt about the place of Turkey in Europe if they are unbiased and objective. We don't reject demographic, cultural and religious differences of Turkey from Europe,'' Erdogan said.
He stressed that Turkey expected Europe to think of Turkey in EU not with its existing form, but at a stage where Turkey was ready for membership, adding that only in that case Turkey-EU relations could be considered from a realistic perspective.
Prime Minister Erdogan stressed that starting of negotiations in December would further improve Turkey's political and economic performance, adding that Turkey started this process by believing and trusting in itself and its friends like Germany, adding ''Turkey hopes EU to believe and trust in the power, development potential and common future ideal of Turkey and Europe.''
Referring to the importance of the relations between the two countries, Erdogan said that Turkey also attached importance to integration of Turkish citizens living in Germany to German society by protecting their identity.''
''We are ready for cooperation with Germany in this field,'' Erdogan said.
Speaking prior to the luncheon, Schroeder described 2004 as a significant year in regard to the EU Commission's taking a decision about opening of accession talks with Turkey. He said that the decision would be of importance in regard to the future of both Turkey and the EU.
He said that accession talks should start after Turkey fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria, in other words, Turkey took principles of democracy and rule of law under guarantee and protected human rights and minorities appropriately.
Pledging to do everything in his power to this end, Schroeder said that the EU should keep its promise.
Pointing out that Turkey had adopted important reform packages in its EU membership process, Schroeder said that he wanted to encourage Turkey to maintain its reform process, adding that Turkey would achieve the expected success in that case.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, German Chancellor Schroeder said that finding a solution to the Cyprus issue before May 1, 2004 would constitute an additional positive signal.
Noting that Turkey's membership to the EU would be considered a significant development for both Turkey and Germany, Schroeder said that Turkey could constitute a model for the other Muslim countries neighboring with Europe. He added that it would help efforts to provide more stability and security in whole Europe.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Ali Babacan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler and Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu also partook in the luncheon.
(AA) 23.02.2004