BERLIN (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed belief on Thursday that the joint interests of Turkey and the European Union (EU) were stronger and more interlaced and diverse than they were in 1963.
In an open letter to readers of German newspaper ''Bild'', Erdogan said that Turkey-EU relations were not dependent on short-term developments.
Erdogan said, ''I believe from the bottom of my heart that the joint interests of Turkey and the EU today are stronger and more interlaced and diverse than they were in 1963. Our common goals have not changed.''
A tendency to exclude Turkey due to its different culture and religion would be detrimental to integration and even have the opposite effect, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan said that EU identity should not be limited with Christians. Stressing Turkey's importance in the region it situated, Erdogan said, ''if the EU wants to become a power which can play an important role in the world, this can be achieved by (accession) of Turkey.''
Stating that Turkey had fulfilled all the EU requirements and paved the way for a positive decision, Erdogan said that nobody should doubt that Turkey would continue to walk on this road.
Erdogan said that Turkey only expected the EU to continue supporting its reforms, and noted that he had no doubts that Turkey would be a more developed country till it became a full member.
(BRC-A֩
2004-12-16