ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey fulfilled all its responsibilities for accession of a united Cyprus to the European Union (EU).
Erdogan hosted dinner in honor of ambassadors of European Union (EU) member countries to Turkey.
Erdogan said Turkey fulfilled all its responsibilities for accession of a united Cyprus to the EU but that the side, which failed to show the same will, became the EU member. Erdogan said keeping Turkey's relations with the EU under the shadow of Cyprus issue could not be accepted.
Erdogan said several difficulties seen in Turkish economy were considered as an obstacle in front of starting of negotiations, stating that, ''I think the EU Commission is insistent on not accepting Turkey as a functioning market economy.''
Erdogan said such kind of approaches gave damage not only to Turkey but also to the EU, and stressed that, ''those who disregarded potential of Turkey, which is the world's 22nd biggest economy, seems to forget their efforts to add dynamism to EU economies.''
Erdogan said with the report and proposal of the EU Commission an evaluation would be prepared this year about the effects of Turkey's membership, and described this implementation, which had not been done for the other candidates, as ''unusual''. Erdogan said he hoped such a study would overcome several concerns about Turkey.
Erdogan said Turkey fulfilled all its responsibilities in the twin referendum held in Cyprus on May 1 for accession of a united Cyprus to the EU.
Erdogan said, ''unfortunately, the side which failed to show the same will, became the EU member. At the point that was reached, it was revealed who favored the solution and who wanted the insolubility. Effective and bold measures should be taken to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots. We expect all the sides to adopt responsible and realistic policies.''
Addressing the ambassadors, Erdogan said, ''we have never given you promises which we can not keep'' and noted that Turkey has not deviated from realism while evaluating its own performance.
(AY) 08.06.2004