ISTANBUL - Prof. Andre Sapir, economic adviser of European Union (EU) Commission President Romano Prodi, expressed his belief on Monday that the EU Commission would give the green light to start full membership negotiations with Turkey in its progress report (on Turkey) to be published on Wednesday.
Sapir, who delivered a speech in the first meeting of TUSIAD-Koc University Economic Researches Forum, said, ''I think negotiations will start in 2005 if the Council also makes a positive decision (about Turkey) in December.''
Although the EU became a Union with 25 members in 20 years, Union's growth performance was below expectations, Sapir said.
Sapir noted that imbalance in income levels of members increased after ten more countries joined the Union in May.
On Turkey's EU membership bid Sapir said, ''the decision to be made on Wednesday will naturally support opening of negotiations (with Turkey). I think negotiations will start in 2005 if the Council also makes a positive decision (about Turkey) in December. And, they will continue for some time.''
Sapir stated that 5 percent growth rate Turkey would record this year was a reasonable figure when compared with other members' performances, and stressed that growth was important for not only Turkey but also the EU.
Turkey's successful growth rate would have a positive impact on its negotiations with the EU, Sapir added.
(BRC-ULG) 04.10.2004