BUCHAREST - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer wished Romania to be a full member of the European Union (EU) in 2007.
Noting that accession to the EU was also one of Turkey's basic foreign policy targets, Sezer said, ''we believe that the solidarity which we have showed within NATO will also be present in our efforts for accession to the EU.''
Sezer attended last evening the dinner hosted by Romanian President Iliescu in his honor.
Delivering a speech, Sezer recalled that Romania was among the countries which Turkey established first diplomatic relations. Sezer said that his visit to Romania coincided with a historical period when NATO and the EU were enlarged comprehensively.
Sezer expressed his pleasure over Romania's membership to NATO which Turkey supported strongly from the beginning, because it will help to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Noting that Turkey monitored closely positive developments recorded in all areas in Romania, Sezer eulogized comprehensive reforms, especially the successful results obtained on macro-economic level in Romania.
Sezer said that Turkey welcomed Romania's efforts aiming integration with the EU and wanted Romania to complete accession negotiations in the end of 2004 and would become full member of the Union in 2007.
Sezer said, ''accession to the EU is also one of our basic foreign policy targets. We believe that our solidarity within NATO will also be present in our efforts to access to the EU. It is certain that our joint efforts will have a complementary role in our bilateral relations. Accession to the EU should be a common goal for regional countries and this will be in the interest of everybody. It will also boost bilateral relations.''
Meanwhile, Iliescu expressed his sorrow over the bomb attacks launched recently in Turkey and he stressed that the all countries should fight against terrorism hand-in-hand.
Noting that in spite of some difficult periods Turkish and Romanian people have preserved their friendly relations throughout the history, Iliescu said that people of two countries have become closer geographically and because of long historical experience.
(GC-ULG) 09.07.2004