PARIS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, ''we do not consider the European Union (EU) a Christian club. On the contrary, we describe it as a whole of political values in which civilizations meet each other.''
Holding a news conference at Paris' International Conference Center, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''if the EU does not set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey during its summit on December 17, 2004, we will change the name of the Copenhagen political criteria as the Ankara political criteria, and continue progressing on our own path. Also, we will maintain our friendly relations with the regional countries in that case.''
''We do not consider the EU a Christian club. On the contrary, we describe it as a whole of political values in which civilizations meet each other,'' he said.
Upon a question about Turkey's foreign policy, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''our policy about the Middle East has been clear and same since November 3, 2002 when we came into political power. Our foreign policy aims to further improve our relations especially with the neighboring countries on the basis of mutual interests. It is valid for our relations with Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Greece, Bulgaria, Caucasus and Romania.''
When asked about relations with Israel, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''the Ottoman Empire sheltered nearly 500 thousand Jewish people who had been expelled by Spain. Jewish people have lived together with Turkish people in Anatolia for centuries. This is the expression of our tolerance. As you know, suicide attacks targeted two synagogues in Istanbul on November 15, 2003. There were Jewish casualties in the attacks. I paid a visit to the chief rabbi and extended my condolences. I am Muslim, and he is Jewish. But it is not a problem. Our culture and faith entail us to do so. I will object to killing of civilians in Palestine or in Israel. We are against all kinds of terrorism.''
''We are not interested in gossips claiming that Israel had some attempts in northern part of Iraq. Our state takes all necessary steps. Turkey is not an ordinary state. It is quite powerful. We know what do to in certain periods,'' Prime Minister Erdogan added.
(UK) 20.07.2004