ADAPAZARI (AA) - Turkish Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Onur Oymen has stated that Turkey has alternatives other than the European Union. ''However,'' said Oymen, ''such alternatives would make the opponents of Turkish membership in the EU happy and would serve their interests.''
Participating in a conference, titled ''Turkey and the EU,'' at the University of Sakarya, Oymen stressed that Turkey is trying to become a full member of the EU within the shortest time possible.
''Turkey had left for the December 17 summit to receive a date for the beginning of accession talks without conditions. Yet Turkey received a date, with a string of conditions attached. Turkey could not resist these conditions successfully. In diplomacy, it is very important to refuse conditions. If you can not resist conditions, then this means that you have failed,'' told Oymen.
Oymen added that the EU wants the Turks to sign a protocol with the Greek Cypriots. ''The EU demands from Turkey to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration as the legitimate government of Cyprus. If we recognize this administration, we would automatically accept the autonomy of the Greeks in Northern Cyprus as well. Turkey made a big mistake when the Greek Cypriots were admitted into the EU. We should have reacted openly and strongly to the EU membership of the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots' membership is against all international laws. Turkey has alternatives aside from the EU. However, such alternatives would only please the opponents of Turkey's membership,'' remarked Oymen.
(ES-A֩
2005-01-10