TOKYO - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended on Tuesday the General Assembly of Turkish-Japanese Friendship Association in Japanese capital Tokyo.
Speaking in the reception held upon the General Assembly of the Association, Erdogan said that Turkey had recorded significant progress in economy and was experiencing busy days in Turkish foreign policy.
Erdogan stated that Turkey had busy days and relationship with the European Union (EU) despite several problems and developments occurring in the geography it was situated.
Turkey expected to get a date to start full membership negotiations with EU in December 2004, Erdogan said.
Erdogan appreciated contributions of Japanese Prince Mikasa to promote modern Turkey in Japan by activities held for the 2003 Turkish Year in Japan.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, who went to Japan on Saturday, is accompanied by his wife Emine Erdogan, Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan, Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag and Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu, businessmen and journalists.
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan attended a reception hosted in his honor by Turkey's Ambassador to Japan Solmaz Unaydin on Sunday.
He met with Japanese Prince Mikasa and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and received by Japanese Emperor Akihito on Monday.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Turkish-Japanese Interparliamentary Friendship Group members at breakfast on Tuesday.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan separately met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Yohei Kono and the House of Councilors President Hiroyuki Kurata.
He will proceed to Aichi to visit Toyota facilities on April 14.
After attending a briefing and a luncheon in Toyoto facilities, Erdogan will proceed to Osaka to meet with the mayor of Osaka.
Prime Minister Erdogan is expected to return to Turkey later in the same day.
(BRC-AY) 13.04.2004