ANKARA - Turkey would reach the most advanced democratic standards inside and outside the European Union (EU), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) at the Turkish parliament, Erdogan noted that Turkey had recorded significant progress on the road to starting full membership negotiations with the EU and had fulfilled its responsibilities at a great extent.
Erdogan stated that Turkey would name Copenhagen political criteria as ''Ankara political criteria'' and continue to follow its path in case it could not start full membership negotiations with EU in December 2004.
The more valuable the benefits Turkey would gain as it became an EU member, the more valuable EU's benefits from this membership would be, Erdogan said.
Erdogan pointed out that Turkey was determined to fulfil its obligations on the road to EU membership.
Noting that the eighth constitutional amendment package was presented to Turkish parliament, Erdogan expressed belief that this amendment package would be put into practice thanks to the will of the parliament before Turkey's progress report was unveiled in June.
Erdogan said that constitutional amendments should not only be considered a requirement of starting entry talks with the EU, but also a step necessary for democratization process of Turkey.
Some claim that the EU would not give a negotiation date to Turkey in December 2004 although Turkey had taken those democratization steps, Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said such views should not be respected since Turkey had taken those steps for its people and country.
''The EU will either take the decision we want or take a contrary decision in December 2004. If it doesn't take a decision in line with our expectations, we will name the Copenhagen criteria as 'Ankara political criteria' and continue our path. Everybody has accepted determination of Turkish people,'' Erdogan noted.
Erdogan went on saying, ''Turkey's EU membership will not only be a development in Turkey's favor but also a determinant threshold for EU's global goals. The EU, which enlarged and widened its goals with the participation of new members last week, should include candidate countries and complete the future EU. I had the opportunity to explain my European friends Turkey's meaning and value in this union.''
''If Europe is to exist as a global force which will direct itself to the future world, Turkey will have an exceptional meaning in this Union. If representatives of three separate religions had been present there, Turkey should also be present there for completion of this process. Otherwise, EU's meaning will weaken,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that Turkey was really optimistic about starting negotiations with the EU in December 2004, adding that he could see no concrete reasons to hesitate or worry.
EU is expected to decide whether to open entry talks with Turkey in its summit to be held in December 2004.
(BRC-AÖ) 04.05.2004