ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan left for Rome, Italy on Thursday to attend signing ceremony of European Constitution.
Prior to his departure, Erdogan told reporters, ''Turkey has exerted efforts in solidarity for EU leaders' taking a decision to start EU entry talks with Turkey during the summit on December 17th.''
Erdogan said, ''Turkey, by attending intergovernmental conference on equal status with other EU candidate countries, took part in the historical process for preparation of European Constitution. Turkey made a constructive contribution to this process, which started in February 2002, with its assessments and views.''
''I, as Prime Minister, and Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will sign the Constitution,'' he added.
''EU member countries are expected to approve the Constitution two years after signature date and then it will be put into force on November 1st, 2006. Some institutional arrangements will be put into force in 2009 and 2014,'' said Erdogan.
Recalling that European Commission's Progress Report and its recommendatory document for Turkey was published on October 6th 2004, Erdogan said, ''European Commission comprehensively assessed Turkey's steps for EU adjustment since 1999 and it recommended member countries to start entry talks with Turkey. I would like to repeat that this recommendation is a historical step. Today, necessary stage is reached for EU's making its decision to start entry talks. Within that scope, we are expecting EU leaders to decide to start entry talks with Turkey in the summit on December 17th. I will have the chance to convey our determination to leaders by holding bilateral talks during signing ceremony.''
When a reporter asked information about his bilateral meetings in Rome, Erdogan said, ''I will meet prime ministers of Italy, Britain and Spain.''
(GC-AÖ) 28.10.2004