ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ``after decades, I, as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, am going to go to Greece today.``
Speaking at ``Forum Istanbul-Target 2023`` meeting in Istanbul on Thursday, Erdogan said that Turkey had clearly displayed its will on European Union (EU) path and exerted significant efforts for adjustment.
``We sincerely believe that our performance will be taken into consideration in December and set schedule of EU membership negotiations,`` Erdogan said that they were sure that Turkey would be a very important color for the EU with its cultural values and great economic potential and make a remarkable contribution to EU philosophy.
Noting that they had taken necessary steps with great efforts so far, Erdogan said that a performance which had never seen before had been reached both in Cyprus and Aegean issues and in relations with neighboring countries as a result of those steps.
Regarding his visit to Greece, Erdogan said, ``after decades, I, as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, am going to go to Greece today. A specific part of our citizens may think about this visit abnormally even within some marginal thoughts. However, we never see and hear these. Why? Because I can`t achieve anything if I fail to enhance my friendship with my next-door neighbor. We have signed natural gas agreements with Greece. Our studies on exports and imports have been increasing day by day. We have been taking new steps in tourism. If the Aegean Sea will turn into `lake of peace`, we are obliged to succeed. We will do it.``
(MS-AÖ) 06.05.2004
ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ``after decades, I, as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, am going to go to Greece today.``
Speaking at ``Forum Istanbul-Target 2023`` meeting in Istanbul on Thursday, Erdogan said that Turkey had clearly displayed its will on European Union (EU) path and exerted significant efforts for adjustment.
``We sincerely believe that our performance will be taken into consideration in December and set schedule of EU membership negotiations,`` Erdogan said that they were sure that Turkey would be a very important color for the EU with its cultural values and great economic potential and make a remarkable contribution to EU philosophy.
Noting that they had taken necessary steps with great efforts so far, Erdogan said that a performance which had never seen before had been reached both in Cyprus and Aegean issues and in relations with neighboring countries as a result of those steps.
Regarding his visit to Greece, Erdogan said, ``after decades, I, as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, am going to go to Greece today. A specific part of our citizens may think about this visit abnormally even within some marginal thoughts. However, we never see and hear these. Why? Because I can`t achieve anything if I fail to enhance my friendship with my next-door neighbor. We have signed natural gas agreements with Greece. Our studies on exports and imports have been increasing day by day. We have been taking new steps in tourism. If the Aegean Sea will turn into `lake of peace`, we are obliged to succeed. We will do it.``
(MS-AÖ) 06.05.2004