ATHENS - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed expectation on Sunday that the European Union (EU) would open membership negotiations with Turkey in March or April of 2005.
Erdogan, who interviewed with Greek ''To Vima'' newspaper, said that the European Commission's progress report on Turkey had stated that Turkey had fulfilled political criteria, and recommended EU member countries to open negotiations with Turkey.
Recalling the resolutions of the Copenhagen summit, calling on the EU member states to open negotiations with Turkey without delay in case Turkey met political criteria, Erdogan said, ''to this end, we expect the first intergovernmental meeting to be held in March or April of 2005.''
Noting that opening of membership negotiations would have positive impact on Turkish economy, Erdogan expressed belief that Turkish economy could be adjusted with that of the EU with new laws and regulations.
-TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONS-
Referring to Turkish-Greek relations, Erdogan said that bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece had been further improved since 1999, thanks to dialogue and cooperation.
Erdogan stated that his government favored continuation of the same good course of bilateral relations, and expressed pleasure to see that the Greek government was thinking the same.
''In several occasions, Greece has announced that it is supporting Turkey's EU membership. And, we appreciate this support. We believe that Greece will extend the same support during the negotiation process which we hope to start at the beginning of 2005,'' Erdogan said.
Answering questions on Aegean issue, Erdogan said, ''it is possible to find a fair, sustainable and acceptable solution to this issue within the framework of international law. Turkey is determined to exert efforts to find a solution to all issues concerning the Aegean as soon as possible. Turkey has always respected to mutual interest of the two countries, and committed to find a solution to all issues concerning the Aegean on which two countries have different perspective. But, issues concerning the Aegean are inter-related and complex. Therefore, it should not be bound by a time frame, as our common goal is to find comprehensive solutions acceptable to both sides.''
-CYPRUS ISSUE-
Erdogan said that ''Turkish Cypriot side had fulfilled its responsibilities to reach a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus'', and noted that Turkey and Turkish Cypriots favored peace and stability in their region, as well as in Cyprus.
''We have recently broadened our liabilities stemming from the Customs Union with the EU, so that it also covered the Greek Cypriot side. But, Greece and the Greek Cypriot side should also take some steps. If the Greek Cypriot side agrees that there are two equal nations, having the right to speak about the future of Cyprus, then a progress may be made. But, the Greek Cypriots should de facto prove this understanding. I think that UN Secretary General and the international community also expect it (such an attitude),'' Erdogan noted.
Answering a question, Erdogan said that Cyprus issue had nothing to do with Turkey's EU membership.
(BRC) 24.10.2004