ANKARA - Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said on Saturday that he would be honored to attend the European Union (EU) heads of state and government summit due on December 17th (when the member states will decide whether to open negotiations with Turkey) together with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Asked what he thought about PM Erdogan's statement that he could think of going to Brussels to attend the EU summit together with him, Baykal said, ''I will be very pleased and honored. We in fact contribute to all efforts (on the road to EU membership). I may attend the summit as the leader of the main opposition party if the prime minister thinks my participation is appropriate.''
Asked if he would support the government's efforts during negotiation process, Baykal said that EU membership bid was Turkey's national bid, and noted that they aimed to carry Turkey to the level of modern civilizations. He added that they would do their best to achieve this goal.
(BRC) 09.10.2004