ISTANBUL - Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU) and the problems of minorities in Turkey were discussed during the meeting of Guenter Verheugen, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, in Fener Greek Patriarchate on Thursday.
Chief Rabbi of Jews in Turkey Ishak Haleva told reporters after the meeting that they had a fruitful meeting with Verheugen. He added, ''everything is fine in Turkey after EU adjustment laws and the most important thing is that there is goodwill.''
Meanwhile, Vatican's representative in Turkey George Marovich said that important progress was made regarding Turkey's entry to the EU. He added, ''Turkish people deserve to be governed by democracy. Turkey will bring richness to Europe with its accession to the EU. Europe will also benefit from Turkey's richness.''
syriac Catholic community's representative Yusuf Sag told reporters that Turkey's membership to the EU and minority issues were taken up during the meeting.
Patriarchate First Secretary Filadepfias, Chief Rabbi of Jews in Turkey Ishak Haleva , Vatican's representative in Turkey George Marovich , Latin Catholic community's representative Louis Pelatre, Syriac Catholic community's representative Yusuf Sag, and Armenian Orthodox community's representative Kirkor Damatyan joined the meeting with Mr. Verheugen.
(GC-ULG) 09.09.2004