ISTANBUL - European Union`s (EU) telling Turkey that it had not met Copenhagen political criteria would be very unjust for Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Saturday.
Gul, who attended a panel discussion on new horizons in Turkish foreign policy in Turkish commercial hub Istanbul, said, ``today, Turkey has made all its homework and met Copenhagen political criteria. And, it is ready to start full membership negotiations with the EU.``
Turkish Foreign Minister Gul said that EU leaders, who would convene in Brussels under term presidency of the Netherlands in December, would decide whether or not Turkey had met Copenhagen political criteria.
Gul stated that EU leaders would decide whether or not to start full membership negotiations with Turkey.
Turkey had met political criteria thanks to its giant steps and reforms in order to reach the most advanced democratic standards, Gul said.
However, Gul noted, there were still things that Turkey should do.
Gul said that Turkish government worked determinedly and fulfilled its obligations.
It was now EU countries` turn to appreciate Turkey`s steps, Gul pointed out.
Gul said that exclusion of Turkey from the EU by some unconvincing reasons would be a failure of EU`s mentality.
``When this mentality fails, there will be only a dead bureaucratic mechanism left,`` Gul said.
Gul noted that Turkey did not think that the EU would do so.
An EU, including Turkey, would become a cradle of harmony among civilizations and an ideal of peace, Gul stated.
Gul said that whenever an anti-Turkey view occurred in Europe, Europe gave the response within itself.
Even though Turkey started full membership negotiations with the EU in the following year, the negotiations would last for many years, Gul noted.
Gul added that however, Turkey would continue to record significant progress in administration of the country and education of its people during those days.
EU is expected to decide whether or not to open entry talks with Turkey in its summit due in December 2004.
(BRC) 22.05.2004