ANKARA - ''Turkey is a candidate country for the 2007-2013 period of the European Union (EU). It will be a part of the bloc after 2014,'' said Haluk Gunugur, the chairman of Turkey-EU Foundation.
Gunugur assessed EU Progress Report for Turkey to the A.A correspondent.
He said, ''the report stresses that Turkey met the Copenhagen political criteria and it recommends the council to start entry talks with Turkey.''
''From now on, December 17th is important. There are several conditions which seem like double standards in the report. They will examine the implementation and if Turkey steps back in implementation, this will be reflected to talks. The budget of the EU is prepared for 6-year periods. Turkey is considered as a candidate country in the budgets for 2007, 2009 and 2013. This shows that Turkey will not be a full member until 2013,'' said Gunugur.
Gunugur added, ''it is said Turkey could join the bloc after 2014. Europe is aware of the place and importance of Turkey.''
(GC-MS) 06.10.2004