ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Monday called on the world press, especially the European press, to support Turkey's efforts to start full membership negotiations with the European Union (EU).
Addressing opening remarks of 75th Congress of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and 11th World Editors Forum (WEF) at the Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Center in Istanbul, Erdogan said that Turkey wanted its 41-year efforts on the road to EU ideal to bring full membership with a concrete and reasonable timetable.
Erdogan stated that Turkish government had paved Turkey's way with comprehensive reforms in not only communication but also social life.
''Turkey's negotiation process will start in December 2004, not its full membership. Therefore, we call on the world press, especially the European press, to support Turkey's efforts to start negotiation process with the EU,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that conflict of civilizations was mentioned there, but Turkey did not consider EU a coal and steel union, economic union, Christian club or an address of conflict of civilizations.
''We consider the EU a place where civilizations reconcile and meet and a unity of political values. Turkey's EU accession will mean that the EU will fulfil this function,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that he saw that Turkey was more ready to the EU when compared with hesitations of nations of many EU member countries.
''Turkey has made its decision and preference. We want to complete our 200-year modernization with EU membership. It is the European Union which will make a decision here. This decision will not only affect us, but will reply to questions on how EU's vision will be and how the EU will shape itself up in the future. It is obvious that the EU, which was formed as a result of common sense searching for peace in a continent that has battled among itself throughout the history, will be a universal example in restoring peace among civilizations together with Turkey. The European Union will either take an important step on Turkey's membership and assume a global vision or it will be obstructed within its own borders,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey, centered between areas of cultural conflicts which were claimed to be the reason of future wars, was the only country which could provide harmony among Muslim countries and the Western civilization.
Turkey continued to exert sincere efforts based on peace, mutual interests, and cooperation in foreign policy, Erdogan pointed out.
Erdogan said that Turkey had made legal and constitutional changes to adjust to the EU and continued to put those changes into practice.
Cooperation among press organs would pave the way for cooperation in other fields and help strong friendship among countries and nations, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan said that he appreciated efforts of WAN, one of the biggest newspaper organizations in the world with its more than 18 thousand members from 105 countries.
He would support every initiative which would increase cooperation among WAN members, Erdogan added.
A total of 72 national newspapers union, individual newspaper directors from 102 countries, 13 news agencies and ten regional or worldwide press groups are members of WAN.
More than 1400 CEO, director general, general publication director and delegates from 88 countries are participating in the congress.
WAN and FEW unofficially convened on Sunday in Istanbul.
(BRC-AÖ) 31.05.2004