ISTANBUL - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Wednesday that the association agreement signed between Turkey and EU in 1963 noted that the aim (of the agreement) was to give Turkey the opportunity to become a candidate member.
``We had made this commitment to Turkey 40 years ago,`` told Schroeder at the Turkish-German Economy Congress.
In his speech, Schroeder stressed that historical decisions could not depend on emotional understandings, referenda, changing views/polls, adding that ``if one person made a commitment, he/she should take its responsibility and implement that. There should be pacta sund servanda.``
Stressing that EU took a historic decision last December and decided to start entry talks with Turkey on Oct. 3rd, 2005 Schroeder said that decision was taken mainly because Turkey fulfilled the preconditions and because Turkey dedicated itself to undertaking reforms deeply.
Noting that Turkey would certainly face some difficulties on its EU path, Schroeder stressed that the thing that mattered for Turkey was to keep its political willingness to overcome those difficulties.
Praising Prime Minister Erdogan`s efforts for Turkey`s EU bid, Schroeder said that ``Turkey has this firm willingness and resolution for its EU bid. Turkey has the resolution to implement the reforms. But the EU should show the same willingness, too.``
Stressing that Turkey fulfilled all of its responsibilities, Schroeder said that EU would fulfil its responsibilities, too. ``The entry talks will be long and difficult, but they will have very important perspective both for Turkey and also for EU. This is also valid for Germany,`` he said.
Noting that the economic reforms made easy the implementation of political reforms in Turkey, Schroeder referred to the economic potential in Turkey and Germany for making cooperation.
Pointing out to the economic cooperation fields between the two countries, Schroeder said that the two countries could cooperate in communication field, defense industry, aviation, automobile, consumption goods, and textile.
``We should include Northern Cyprus to the cooperation between Turkey and Germany in fields of tourism and agriculture. I think Germany also has responsibility in this issue,`` he said.
Noting that Northern Cyprus took a very important decision for the integrity of the island, Schroeder said that yet that decision was not shared in the south of the island. He said Turkey and Germany should do things together ``in north of Cyprus and bring prosperity to that part of the island.``
After attending the Turkish-German Economy Congress, German Chancellor Schroeder returned to his country.
2005-05-04