Turkish PM Believes Turkey Was Very Close To Final In Its EU Membership Bid

ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed belief on Saturday that Turkey was very close to final in its European Union (EU) membership bid.
Speaking in a meeting entitled ``European Turkey 5 to Finish``, Erdogan said that Turkey was running the last 100 meters on the road to the EU.
``We have done our best. And, now we expect our EU member friends to do the same thing. Negotiations should be started (with Turkey). Two achievements of Turkey are important. One of them is the adjustment laws, and the other is their implementation. We have completed the adjustment laws. And, EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen also said that there was nothing they could ask Turkey to fulfil now,`` Erdogan stated.
Erdogan said that implementation would naturally take some time, and went on saying, ``we told the EU that it was difficult for Turkey to change all implementations till December 17th (when the EU will decide on whether to set a date to start negotiations with Turkey). But, we will continue our path with determination. We have zero tolerance towards torture. We are determined to eradicate it.``
Discussions on whether or not Turkey had done its homework were over, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan stated that the EU started to have confidence in Turkey, as much as Turkey has confidence in itself.
``December 17th is very important for Turkey. Turkey has done its best, and we expect our EU member friends to do the same. This (EU`s opening entry talks with Turkey) is Turkey`s right. Negotiations should be opened. Moreover, we won`t become a full member on December 17th. We only get an approval for starting our negotiations (with EU). When we will become a full member is uncertain. Therefore, our EU member friends should not think so much,`` Erdogan added.

-FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM EU-
Erdogan said that EU`s extending financial assistance to Turkey after 2005 was out of question, and noted, ``as Turkey, we are strong enough to stand on our feet regarding financial issues. Turkey has never been a burden on anybody so far, and will never be so.``

-ADJUSTMENT PACKAGES-
Erdogan said that Turkey had passed eight comprehensive adjustment packages on the road to EU membership since Helsinki Summit of 1999, and stated that five of them were adopted after his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) came to power.
The government were insistent on its fight against torture and mal-treatment, Erdogan pointed out.
Recalling that Verheugen visited Turkey last week, Erdogan said that he asked Verheugen if there were any steps Turkey should take for membership, and the EU Commissioner answered in negative. He quoted Verheugen as saying that he had adequate data to prepare report regarding Turkey.
Erdogan said that the critical stage regarding Copenhagen political criteria was overcome. But, he noted, reforms continued, and recalled that the parliament would hold an extraordinary session next week to discuss the amendments to Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
Continuing reforms was the commitment of the government, parliament, his party and Turkish nation, Erdogan noted. He said that the EU should be aware of this commitment.

-WE ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND ON OUR FEET-
Erdogan went on saying, ``assistance we have taken from the EU since 1980s has neither met our needs nor reflected the real level of our relations with the Union. EU`s extending financial assistance (to Turkey after 2005) is out of question. As Turkey, we are strong enough to stand on our feet regarding financial issues. They have a concern. They think if Turks rush into the EU if they start negotiations with Turkey. I told (EU representatives) that free movement of labor dates back to 1986. I said that many Turks currently living in Europe may return to Turkey after negotiations begin. And, they may start to invest in Turkey. Turkey has never been a burden on anybody so far, and will never be so. Because, Turkey is strong enough to stand on its feet.``
Turkey`s will to join the Union should not remain without a solution, Erdogan said.

-TERRORISM-
Referring to terrorism, Erdogan said that terrorism was a phenomenon which had no religion, nationality and race, and stressed that countries should form a joint platform to fight against it.
Erdogan stated that intelligence organizations should share their information, and added, ``if they don`t, terrorism which hits country A today will definitely hit country B tomorrow.``

-EU`S DECISION TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS WILL CONFIRM ITS WILL-
Erdogan said that there was still time for Turkey`s EU full membership, and noted that a country should firstly reach EU standards in order to become a member.
``But, a `yes` answer of the EU to Turkey in December will confirm EU`s will that Turkey has entered a road of no return. I don`t want to even think about it. But, a negative decision may harm our relations. And, I want all our fiends to think very carefully. But, if this happens, we will continue our reforms with determination.`` Erdogan said.
-TURKEY TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE-
Erdogan stated that there were common political, economic and strategic interests linking Turkey and the EU, and stressed that Turkey would play a leading role when it became an EU full member.
-TILL LAST MOMENT-
Erdogan said that the EU would make a political decision (regarding Turkey), and political decisions were shaped up in the last minute.
Therefore, he noted, Turkey would continue to fulfil its responsibilities with determination till the last moment.
Erdogan stated that Turkish nation preferred contemporary civilization and EU membership, and added, ``a secular, democratic and prosperous Turkey, which has caught up with the contemporary western civilization on the path shown by Ataturk, is our common ideal. And, the EU is the most effective and important means that will take us to this ideal.``
(BRC) 12.09.2004