STRASBOURG (AA) - European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings said on Wednesday that European Union (EU) should give a fair chance to Turkey.
Following the voting of the resolution recommending the EU to start full membership talks, Eurlings and EP President Josep Borrel had a joint press conference.
Eurlings expressed pleasure over acceptation of his report and recommendatory decision, stating that Turkey should give priority to implementation of political criteria after start of negotiations.
Claiming that, ''particularly the torture cases should be prevented'', Eurlings said there should not be restrictions toward the worship of religious minorities.
Eurlings said as people could easily build mosques in Europe, people should be able to built churches in Turkey, and noted that discussion of Turkey's EU membership by the European public opinion and the European Parliament was extremely fruitful.
European Parliament President Josep Borrel said European public opinion was afraid as they did not know Turkey well.
Stating that there were prejudices stemming from history, Borrel said European Parliament also had responsibilities in promotion of Turkey to European public opinion.
Replying to a question, Borrel said they decided to have a secret voting as a requirement of the European Parliament and as there was the demand of adequate number of parliamentarians.
Representatives of Socialist Liberal and Greens group, who spoke before the voting in the European Parliament, opposed to the secret voting as a requirement of principle of transparency.
Stating that Turkey fulfilled important reforms, Borrel said, ''we think Turkey deserved to start full membership negotiations with the EU.''
Borrel said EP, with the recommendatory decision taken today, reminded Turkey the fact the talks would be made with 25 countries of the EU, and noted that Turkey should recognize the Greek Cypriot side as the parties would sit at the same table.
(AY-A֩
2004-12-15