ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Wednesday that Turkey will certainly meet EU acquis and accomplish required reforms.
Babacan added that new (Turkish) Constitution will meet Copenhagen political criteria, and it will make Turkey a first-class democracy.
Speaking at Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission meeting at Turkish Parliament, Babacan said that they implement reforms for the sake of Turkish people, and not to satisfy EU public or receive appreciation from EU Commission.
Noting that EU process is not only a Turkey-EU issue, Babacan said that it has regional and global effects. He recalled that news about Turkey's starting negotiations with the EU had enormous repercussions in Middle East, Arabian and African countries.
"This process gave a serious responsibility to EU and Turkish officials. It is related to peace, stability, prosperity and security," he noted.
Babacan said that EU attaches importance to Turkey's contribution to peace as well as its stabilizing power in the region.
Babacan said that Turkey is the only country which has good relations with both Israel and Arabian countries in the region.
He noted that Turkey hosted 900,000 Iranian tourists in 2006, and more than 500,000 Israeli tourists are expected to visit Turkey in 2007.
"Turkey is the 6th biggest trade partner of EU. Turkey will carry the burdens of EU; it won't be a burden to it," he added.