BERLIN - Vural Oger, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the German Social Democrat Party (SDP), said on Friday that Turkey might feed the entire European Union (EU) if necessary foreign investments were made.
Making a speech in a meeting held by the EU's office in German capital (Berlin) on possible advantages of Turkey's EU membership to German economy and workers, Oger said that various brands in electronics and automotive industry were manufactured in Turkey in the present day.
Oger noted that big markets could be opened for the EU via Turkey, and went on saying, ''Turkey is close to the markets in the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East and Central Asia thanks to its geographical location. I can't think of any single industry which can't take advantage from Turkey's EU membership.''
Stating that all European economy would be revived with Turkey's EU membership, Oger said, ''EU's enlargement has always caused mutual benefits. This will also be valid for Turkey. Germany will be the country which will make the maximum use of this situation, thanks to its close economic relations (with Turkey).''
Referring to German's concerns about migration, Oger said, ''these concerns are unnecessary. Turks' right to free movement is expected to be limited for at least ten years even after Turkey completes its membership negotiations. In those days, most of Turkish people won't want to come to Europe due to economic developments in Turkey, and even there may be an opposite migration from EU countries to Turkey. Nobody should forget that Europe will need young labor force those days due to its old population. Europe will need well-educated foreigners in the future.''
Oger added, ''maybe, Turkish people are not ready for the EU at the moment, but Turkey is already more developed than many member countries. Since 90 percent of Turkish people who have settled in Germany came from rural area, a wrong image occurred here (in Germany) regarding Turkey. These people worked hard, and contributed to German economy. But, they can't socially and culturally intermingle with the German people. This is also a part of Turkey, but it is not the entire image of Turkey.''
(BRC-ULG) 22.10.2004