ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Sunday that Turkey's membership to the European Union (EU) would help finalize the process on formation of a united Europe.
Gul issued a message on the occasion of May 9th Europe Day, noting, ''every year we celebrate Europe Day on May 9th, but this year is particularly important due to the recent developments in our relations with the EU.''
''The accession negotiations will start on October 3rd in line with the decision taken at the December 2004 European Council.Turkey, aiming to fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria, has adopted reforms of revolutionary nature that foresee the complete transition of the society. The work carried out during this process was supported by an overwhelming majority of the nation. Our nation wants to see its future in the European Union, and this was proven by their strong support to the reform process,'' Gul noted.
He stressed, ''it goes without saying that with the opening of the accession negotiations our relations with the EU will reach an important turning point and gain new momentum. Turkey will undertake what is necessary for the successful completion of the negotiations and obtain the place it deserves in the European structure.''
Stating that he believed that the EU would abide by its promises in this critical period ahead of Turkey, Gul said, ''our primary expectation was the timely opening of the accession negotiations after the necessary preparations have been completed. Within this framework, the Luxembourg Presidency, the forthcoming UK Presidency and the EU Commission also have important undertakings.''
''On May 9th, 1950 the then French Foreign Minister Schuman delivered a speech about the concept of a united Europe that still remains in our memories. This concept has evolved through several stages up to our day. However the common denominator has always been the recognition of peace and stability as the core value. Those countries that have accepted this understanding have shown their readiness to play a role in shaping the European structure by joining the Union,'' he stated.
''It is not possible to say that the process of composing a united Europe has concluded at present. Turkey's membership to the EU will help finalize this process. Turkey with its present structure will enrich Europe's mosaic of diversity and will add strength to the EU with its political, economic, cultural, social, as well as its security and defense dimension. Thus, it will make a significant contribution to peace, stability and harmony in the world,'' Foreign Minister Gul stated.
He said, ''on the other hand, I have been observing that in some of the EU countries there are concrete differences of opinion on the Constitutional Treaty. I believe that Europe will overcome these differences with common sense.''
2005-05-08