ANKARA - The Turkish foreign minister said on Tuesday that the European Union (EU) membership was a process that should not be made a tool for internal politics.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who is also the chief negotiator for the EU, said that leaders of two political parties did not want to learn about the draft national program that Turkey was preparing on the road to the EU.
"I hope that they do not think of rejecting anything this government will bring up, even though it is for the best interest of Turkish people," Babacan said during a conference on developing civil society between Turkey and the EU.
Babacan referred to local elections due in Turkey in March, and expressed hope that EU reforms would not be sacrificed for the election atmosphere.
"I also hope the opposition parties would back these reforms which are for the best interests of the Turkish people, at least they can try to understand what they are," Babacan also said.
Babacan said the government would seek compromise on the draft, so it not only mailed but also e-mailed the draft to chairmen of the two political parties and asked for their views.
The foreign minister said that the government wanted to shape up the draft till October 7th and make public the formal program after reaching a wide compromise.
(BRC-MS)
(DIP)