ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that any negative decision that would be taken against Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU) would disappoint Turkish people and deteriorate basic philosophy of the union.
Speaking at the group meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Erdogan said Turkey in December would reach the most important stop of its EU journey, and stated that, ''Turkey displayed its will and desire and took necessary steps to be a full member of the EU. Turkey also declared that it would continue to take new steps in this respect.''
''I believe that it would be wrong and unjust if EU further delays Turkey's membership. Any negative decision that will be taken against Turkey's membership will disappoint Turkish people and seriously damage basic philosophy of the union,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stressed, ''we do not think that our European friends will make a mistake that will split unity of values formed with great efforts.''
Prime Minister Erdogan said the test for the EU in December would be more meaningful than Turkey's, ''if the EU fails to reach a conclusion in line with our wishes, Turkey will not have difficulty in finding a new course with the potential it has.''
Erdogan said the EU would have difficulty in talking about the European ideals if it excludes Turkey despite all its efforts to adjust to EU.
Stating that Turkey still has several deficiencies to adjust to the EU, Erdogan said, ''there is time for us to overcome the deficiencies. Moreover, there is a clear will revealed by the society. We will continue to fulfill our responsibilities. We rely on ourselves. A historical step will be taken if the EU passes its test successfully and reveals what EU represents. Then both sides will win.''
EU is expected to decide whether to open entry talks with Turkey in its summit to be held in December 2004.
(AY-AÖ) 04.05.2004