PARIS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his belief that France would continue supporting Turkey in December 2004, when commenting on France's perspective on Turkey's European Union (EU) membership bid.
Answering questions after his meeting with French businessmen in Paris, Erdogan said, ''France supported Turkey's candidacy in December 1999. I had positive meetings with (French President Jacques) Chirac after I had become prime minister. I believe that France will continue to support Turkey in December 2004 because, Turkey is in this process (i.e. full membership application to the EU) for 41 years.''
Erdogan added, ''other countries didn't experienced such a process for so long time. I believe that Turkey, which has adopted many reform packages in the past, will continue to do the same in the future. Thus, not only France but also other EU member states, taking into consideration the progress report to be made public in October, will think positively about Turkey's membership at the end of 2004.''
Asked if he expected any change in Chirac's position, Erdogan said, ''I think that French people are overwhelmingly positive towards us. Because, our relations (in trade, politics, economy and military) with France are deep rooted. France is ranked first among EU member states investing in Turkey. But, in my opinion, nobody can argue that two closely-intermingled countries can't have different political positions.''
(BRC-ULG) 20.07.2004