ANKARA - Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said on Wednesday that today, when the European Commission recommended to open negotiations with Turkey, was the first stage, and added, ''we will face a more serious day on December 17th (when EU heads of state and government will decide whether to open negotiations with Turkey).''
Commenting on the Commission's recommendatory decision, Sahin said that the progress report on Turkey noted that Turkey had met Copenhagen political criteria. He stated that the report met Turkey's expectations.
On the other hand, Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that a critical stage was passed in EU membership process today. ''If a positive decision is made on December 17th to open negotiations (with Turkey), Turkey will reach a very important stage on the EU path.''
Meanwhile, Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek welcomed the recommendatory decision of the European Commission to open negotiations with Turkey, while State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that this decision of the European Commission would increase flow of foreign capital into Turkey.
(BRC-MS) 06.10.2004