PARIS - State Minister Ali Babacan expressed belief on Wednesday that France would extend necessary support to Turkey when the time came for the European Union (EU) to decide whether or not to open entry talks with Turkey.
Babacan, who is in French capital Paris to attend opening ceremony of Office of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), told reporters that he thought that France would back Turkey when the EU decided on whether or not to start full membership negotiations with Turkey.
State Minister Babacan, who met with French Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry Francis Mer last night, stated that France closely followed reforms made in Turkey and admired those reforms as other European countries.
Babacan said, ''the French minister said that Turkey's EU membership process should be explained better to the French public opinion. He also said that parliaments and people should be well-informed about this issue.''
The government had taken significant steps in the recent one year on road to EU membership, Babacan noted.
Babacan said, ''everybody in Europe is aware of reforms made in Turkey, but countries have their own sensitivities. Even German Chancellor (Gerhard) Schroeder has changed very much about Turkey's EU membership in one year.''
The year 2004 was an important year for Turkey to start full membership negotiations with EU, Babacan pointed out.
Babacan said, ''we should use our time efficiently and we should explain ourselves well to the governments, opposition parties and other groups in EU member countries.''
Opening of TUSIAD Office in Paris was important for explaining Turkey in EU countries, Babacan stated.
Noting that he had a close and warm relationship with Mer, Babacan recalled that he invited Mer to Turkey in July.
Babacan pointed out that French companies were ranked the first among companies which invest the most in Turkey, but France was ranked the fifth in regard with the amount of foreign investments in Turkey.
State Minister Babacan added that the government had taken necessary steps to increase foreign capital investments in Turkey.
Babacan, who came to French capital Paris on Tuesday, will return to Turkey on Wednesday afternoon.
State Minister Babacan, French Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry Francis Mer, TUSIAD Chairman Omer Sabanci, and French Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association MEDEF's President Ernest-Antoine Seilliere attended the opening ceremony of the TUSIAD Office in Paris.
A dinner was hosted for the guests after the ceremony.
TUSIAD had earlier opened offices in Berlin, Washington and Brussels.
(BRC-AÖ) 10.03.2004