PARIS - State Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday that no government in Turkey to date was as serious and resolved about Turkey's EU membership as AK Party government.
Addressing French and Turkish businessmen in the dinner organized upon opening of TUSIAD's Paris Office, Babacan said that the government would continue to implement the reforms undertaken for EU bid in a resolved way.
Noting that the recent developments in the region showed the importance of Turkey once again, Babacan said that Turkey had an important place in regional stability.
Babacan said that EU norms were universal, stressing that the democratic and Muslim Turkey model was also important for the stability of EU.
Stressing that the government did its utmost to activate the economic potential of the country, Babacan said that seven packages were adopted in fields of democratization and human rights in Turkey.
Referring to Cyprus issue, Babacan said that the government contributed to efforts launched for installation of a lasting peace on the island.
Babacan stressed that TUSIAD's opening an office in Paris was an important development in respect of Turkish-French economic relations, calling French investors to make more investments in Turkey.
French Minister of Economy, Finances, and Industry Francis Mer said in his part that there was a potential to further improve the relations between Turkey and France and that the office of TUSIAD in Paris would serve that target.
Pointing out to the reforms undertaken by Turkey to fulfill Copenhagen criteria, Mer said that the reforms should be appreciated. French minister said that his country supported closer Turkey-EU relations. Mer added that France also expected resolution of Cyprus problem.
Mer stated that more French investors wanted to invest in Turkey, adding that they expected increase in investments particularly in water, energy and health fields.
Chairman of Association of French Industrialists and Businessmen (MEDEF- Mouvement des Entreprises de France) Antoine Seilliere said that they wished further improvement of economic relations between the two countries.
(Öª) 10.03.2004