PARIS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey's integration with the European Union (EU) would be the best and most effective answer to circles who wanted to initiate a cold war among civilizations.
Erdogan made a speech on ''Turkey-France: New Perspectives for an Influential Partnership'' in the headquarters of Movement of French Enterprises MEDEF in French capital of Paris.
Turkish PM Erdogan said that nobody should allow circles who wanted to separate Turkey from the western civilization, and the Islam world from contemporary civilization.
''Turkey is now expecting the most serious support from France in the (EU) summit due in December,'' Erdogan noted.
Touching on Turkey's EU full membership process, Erdogan said, ''some circles are still discussing not only whether Turkey may become a full member, but also whether it can get a negotiation date. This saddens Turkish nations since almost all reform packages passed by Turkish parliament are known. According to public surveys, I know that 50-60 percent of French people are positive towards Turkey's EU negotiation process. We want our French friends, especially investors, to support us. In case Turkey is given a negotiation date in December 2004, investments of French businessmen in Turkey will gain momentum.''
Erdogan stated, ''the EU is no more a coal, steel or economic union. The EU is no more a European Economic Community. The EU is a whole of political values and goals around which civilizations gather.''
Turkey had taken significant steps on the road to EU, Erdogan said, and went on saying, ''we have made comprehensive reforms in order to meet Copenhagen political criteria which constitute a pre-condition to start accession negotiations. And, thus we have passed the critical stage. We see that French economic circles think that Turkey's EU membership may make significant contributions to France and Europe.''
Erdogan stated that the EU would in real sense become a multi-cultural and multi-religious union after Turkey became a full member.
Turkey would become a full member 10 years later or before this day according to its performance in the negotiation process, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan said, ''we are looking forward to beginning of a new era based on mutual tolerance and cooperation among different religions. Turkey's integration with the EU will be the best and most effective answer to circles who want to initiate a cold war among civilizations. We shouldn't let those who want to separate Turkey from the western civilization, and the Islam world from contemporary civilization.''
''We should not forget that 75 percent of Turkish people support EU membership, and our people are looking forward for our membership. Our country is determined to join the EU, and showing this determination clearly. And, at the same time, our country believes that our friends will think the same with Turkey about this issue,'' Erdogan added.
TURKEY'S MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS ABOUT NUCLEAR ENERGY
Turkey will become an important terminal of the global energy market with the projects it is going to put into practice, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
''Our most important step is about the nuclear energy. There have been studies with France on this matter. We will take the steps after finalization of those studies,'' he said.
Erdogan said that Turkey might undertake an important regional and global role as long as it utilized its advantages and the world was aware of it.
Noting that Turkey had displayed a significant economic performance in 2003, Erdogan said that it was the result of a determined policy, and the Turkish government would continue this determined policy.
Stressing that together with the People's Republic of China, Turkey was one of the two swiftly developing countries in the world, Erdogan said that achievements in fight against the inflation proved coherent implementation of the economic program.
Recalling that the inflation had reduced to one-digit rates, Erdogan said, ''we target to reach the EU standards for inflation rates as soon as possible.''
Stating that they had taken significant positive steps for liberalization of the economy, Erdogan said the government was determined to continue implementing the stability program.
Noting that Turkey needed more foreign investments, Erdogan said that the government offered much more suitable investing environment for foreign entrepreneurs by adopting new laws.
Stating that foreign investors were offered facilities and granted same rights with Turkish companies, Erdogan said that companies like Turkish tobacco and alcoholic drinks monopoly Tekel, Turkish Airlines (THY) and Turkish Telekom would be privatized.
Replying to a question of a French businessman about tube tunnel project called ''Marmaray'' in the Istanbul strait, Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim said that a loan of 650 million U.S. dollars for the second phase of the project would be approved by the European Investment Bank on Wednesday.
Replying to another question about military expenditures, Erdogan said, ''military expenditures had the highest share in the budget until last year. We allocated more money for education than defense expenditures for the first time in 2004. We will continue allocating more money for education.''
Asked what kind of a role Turkey wanted to play in Arab countries, Erdogan said that a delegation would visit Turkey in September related to the matter and Turkey and France could make joint investments in those countries.
Noting that he was planning to tour the Middle East and North Africa in 2005, Erdogan invited French businessmen to participate in investments in those countries.
Replying to another question, Erdogan said that Turkey would give priority to hydroelectric and thermal power plants rather than natural gas power plants. ''Our most important step is about nuclear energy. There have been studies with France on this matter. We will take the steps after finalization of those studies,'' he said.
When a French businessman said he wanted to participate in projects in Iran together with Turkey, Erdogan said he would bring this matter onto the agenda during his scheduled visit to Iran through the end of the month.

(MS-AÖ) 20.07.2004