Erdogan: We Expect Our European Friends To Fulfil Their Commitments

ROME - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, ''Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities in its EU membership process. Now, we expect the EU to keep its promises.''
In an interview with Italian La Repubblica newspaper, Erdogan, who is currently in Italian capital Rome to attend the signing ceremony for the EU Constitution, said, ''we have fulfilled our responsibilities. Now, it is turn for our European friends to fulfil their commitments.''
''Holding referendums in European countries over whether Turkey can join the EU would amount to clear discrimination. No such referendum has ever been held for EU countries or for those that have joined. I therefore see no reason to hold a vote specially on us,'' he said.
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''European governments have always told us, all along the way, that Ankara would be treated the same way as the others. Insisting on a vote will mean adopting a different approach. It will be clear discrimination.''
Earlier in the month, European Commission recommended the EU to open entry talks with Turkey. At their scheduled summit on December 17th, EU heads of state and government will decide whether to start entry negotiations with Turkey.
(UK-AÖ) 29.10.2004