ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan left for the Netherlands on Tuesday for an official visit.
Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Erdogan said that the decision on Turkey's membership negotiation process with the European Union (EU) would be taken during Netherlands's EU term presidency in December 2004. He noted that he would have the chance to negotiate mutually Turkey-EU relations with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands during his visit.
Erdogan recalled that the Netherlands would take over EU term presidency from Ireland on July 1, 2004. Stating that he would also be received by Queen Beatrix, Erdogan said that he would meet with businessmen and representatives of finance organizations in a meeting organized by Turkey-Netherlands Business Forum during his visit to this country. Erdogan noted that he would inform businessmen about economic situation of Turkey.
Prime Minister Erdogan said that he would also meet with Turkish citizens living in this country.
Noting that he would proceed to Brussels after his meetings in the Netherlands, Erdogan said that he would attend Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels and meet with heads of states and governments.
Erdogan said, ''we will discuss what we are doing regarding the EU process and what we can do together. One of the main agenda items will be EU Parliament elections. We will have the opportunity to discuss this. Also especially the recent adjustment package of Turkey will be brought onto agenda. I think steps we have taken regarding the implementation of reforms will be brought onto agenda.''
Erdogan said that they would return to Turkey after the meetings in Brussels.
Turkish State Ministers Mehmet Aydin and Kursad Tuzmen also left for the Netherlands with Erdogan.
(EÖ-GC-AÖ) 15.06.2004