Sampaio: Turkey Should Be Patient In E.U. Membership Process

LISBON (AA) - Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio told President Ahmet Necdet Sezer that EU membership process was a difficult one and Turkey should be patient in that process.
     President Sezer said in his part that Turkey would be patient during that process.
     In Sezer's meeting with Sampaio, EU, bilateral relations, the Middle East and regional issues were taken up.
     Sampaio said that Portugal's membership process continued for eight years, adding ''Turkey must be patient. There will be some problems, but even Turkey's starting entry talks with EU is very important... EU's enlargement process should continue.'' Sampaio stressed that the reform process in Turkey should continue.
     Referring to bilateral relations, Sampaio said that the bilateral relations were at a good level, adding that Turkish Airlines (THY) would start direct flights to Lisbon in June and this would positively affect bilateral relations.
     President Sezer expressed his wish to see a Portuguese-Turkish Friendship group in the Portuguese parliament like the friendship group in the Turkish parliament. Sezer also explained his views about issues of Cyprus, Iraq and Palestine to Sampaio in the meeting.

2005-05-10