STRASBOURG - ''Turkey does not want different treatment. Turkey demands equal and fair treatment as the 25 plus 2 countries. I do not suppose there would be any negative approach after today's positive report,'' said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan held a news conference in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
He recalled that Turkey was granted EU candidacy at Helsinki Summit in 1999, and also EU leaders decided at Copenhagen Summit in 2004 that entry talks should start without any delay if they believe Turkey fulfilled Copenhagen political criteria.
''We will continue exerting efforts for adoption of the European Commission's recommendation by EU countries on December 17th,'' said Erdogan.
''I believe entry talks will start without any delay because the Commission's report and recommendation are positive and this step will be taken because it was decided at Copenhagen in December 2002. Within this framework, we wish and foresee that negotiations would officially start in the early months of 2005. We will carry on our studies about adjustment to Copenhagen criteria, particularly about implementation. We definitely do not want different treatment. Turkey demands equal and fair treatment as the 25 plus 2 countries. It is the requirement of especially democracy, human rights and supremacy of law. We do not want anything else. If this decision is made in this way, the EU can say, 'here is the address' of compromise and understanding and intersection of civilizations. If it is achieved, I believe that it would be a very important test also for the 25 countries that contribute to powerful formation of the EU,'' said Erdogan.
Erdogan noted, ''we actually understand the concerns of the Commission. The duty of the Commission is over now. The next process belongs to the European Council. We believe that we will see the result of it on December 17th altogether by discussing it with our friends with solidarity. We will take the joint steps together for the brilliant future of the EU.''
Erdogan said, ''Turkey completely met requirements of political criteria and moreover Turkey did more than some full members.''
Erdogan said, ''membership to the EU is not the target of only the government, but also the sole project which has been adopted in the history of Turkish Republic in terms of its principles.'' He added, ''it will continue to be the government's priority also in future.''
Erdogan said, ''we will continue to fulfill our responsibilities to make Turkey a respected member of the EU within a reasonable period.''
(GC-MS) 06.10.2004