Dervis: We Have To Join E.U. To Have A Voice In Our Geography

ANKARA (AA) - ''We have to be a member of the EU to have a voice in our geography,'' said United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Administrator Kemal Dervis on Monday.
     Speaking at a panel discussion in Ankara on ''The Future of Turkey-EU Relations'' co-sponsored by Turkish Parliamentarians' Union and Ankara University EU Works Center, Dervis said, ''several of reforms, which Turkey has fulfilled for adjustment to the EU, are in favor of Turkey and several are not.''
     He said, ''we should have a voice in economy, foreign policy and defense policies. We also have to join the EU to have a voice in our geography. We should contribute to consensus. If we cannot join EU, we do not have the right to have say. It means that Turkey would not have a voice in the future of the geography.''
     ''Share of sovereignty is very important. It cannot be transferred; it can only be shared,'' he added.
     ''Turkey complies with international agreements, and complying with these agreements means restriction of sovereignty. EU membership is like an international agreement,'' noted Dervis.
     Dervis said, ''if Turkey enters EU, it shares its sovereignty. Because Turkey will have a voice over sovereignty of other EU countries. We exert efforts not for EU membership but for a modern world which is open to peace and brotherhood.''
     Dervis noted, ''Turkey should further develop its relations with Central Asian and Turkish republics. Such relations are not obstacles before EU membership. On the contrary, these relations can support EU membership of Turkey.''
     (GC-MS)
2005-05-09