Union Of Turkish Chambers And Foreign Capital Association Welcomes E.U.'s Decision On Turkey

ANKARA/ISTANBUL (AA) - Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said regarding EU's setting a negotiation date to Turkey, ''now negotiation table has been seen. This is a positive asset.''
     Releasing a written statement, Hisarciklioglu said, ''the EU has taken a historical decision for the future of Turkey-EU relations.''
     ''European Council also asked our government to sign a protocol which will extend Ankara Agreement. Turkey's Cyprus policy is clear. Everybody should be sure that a solution within that scope will not abandon Turkish Cypriots to their fate,'' said Hisarciklioglu.
     Meanwhile, Foreign Capital Association (YASED) Secretary General Mustafa Alper said, ''foreign investments will increase as EU has set a negotiation date.''
     Alper added, ''Turkey has taken what it wants to some extent. Because there is a political dimension.''
     Alper stressed, ''Cyprus issue will always be critical. Cyprus will always be important in integration with the EU.''
     ''Turkey's getting a negotiation date is positive in economical aspect,'' he added.
     Alper said, ''foreign investments in Turkey will increase. There will surely be several difficulties in political aspect but start of negotiation process is very important.''
     (GC-MS)
2004-12-17