BRUSSELS - Olli Rehn, a member of the new European Commission which will start its mission on November 1st under the chairmanship of Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, said on Monday that Turkey was accepted as a European country 40 years ago.
Speaking at the European Parliament to give information about his plans as the future European Enlargement Commissioner, Rehn recalled that Turkey's European Union (EU) candidacy was officially announced at the EU's Helsinki Summit in 1999, and that the EU Council would decide in December to whether open entry negotiations with Turkey.
It would not be an easy decision, he said.
Noting that it was obvious that Turkey's membership had divided European public opinion, Rehn said Turkey's will to join the EU should be supported.
He highlighted importance of judicial, political and economic reforms in Turkey.
Stressing that Turkey should fulfil the Copenhagen political criteria, Rehn said that the EU's capacity of accepting new members should not be ignored.
Turkey was accepted as a European country 40 years ago, he said, recalling that it was stated in 1963 that Turkey was a part of Europe, which was actually the initiation of European attitude towards a democratic and European Turkey.
(UK-MS) 04.10.2004