LISBON (AA) - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer remarked that Turkey is walking towards full European Union (EU) membership with great joy and national compromise. ''Turkey wishes that negotiations would continue without prejudice and hopes that its membership would not be a topic of domestic politics in European nations.''
Portugal's President Jorge Sampaio and Mrs. Sampaio hosted a dinner reception last night (Tuesday) in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Sezer.
''In history, our countries looked at different geographic regions. At times, we have competed with each other and at other times we have cooperated with each other. We have displayed mutual respect at all times,'' remarked Sezer. ''As in the Mombasa sea battle in 1586 at the Indian Ocean, our navies did not reject helping each other at times of need,'' expressed Sezer.
Sezer noted that the support given to Turkey by Portugal on December 17th, 2004 is one that is appreciated by the Turkish people. ''I believe that the maturity of our nations, mutual respect and tolerance were important factors that shaped Portugal's support of Turkey in giving Turkey a date for the beginning of entry talks,'' commented Sezer.
Sezer pointed out that the world is going through radical changes. ''With the end of the cold war, clashes between blocks have been minimized. Yet, ethnical nationalism, fundamentalists and terrorism continue to pose a threat to international peace,'' said Sezer.
Sezer expressed that Turkey, as a country that has close ties with the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East, Europe and Central Asia, can not sit idly and watch things happen. ''Turkey contributes to the preservation of peace and stability, democracy, human rights and freedoms,'' stressed Sezer.
According to Sezer, Turkey is a republic that was established on values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. ''Turkey is in a geostrategic position to influence its surrounding. Turkey has supported finding peaceful solutions to problems in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus and Eurasia,'' indicated Sezer.
''Within this framework, Turkey participated in NATO and OSCE operations in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Asia and Africa. Turkish and Portuguese troops worked side by side in many cases,'' told Sezer.
Sezer mentioned that the Turkish and Portuguese societies, as two identical societies in terms of their mutual respect, tolerance and warmness, must do more with cultural programs.
Sezer referred to Sampaio's visit to Turkey two years ago and said that Sampaio's visit contributed to the mutual support and cooperation between the two countries. ''The process you have started, Mr. President, made us two close partners in the same family,'' told Sezer.
Portuguese President Sampaio, meanwhile, indicated that Portugal supports Turkey's EU membership. ''The entry negotiations are complex and full of obstacles. However, patience, will and efforts by both sides will help,'' commented Sampaio.
According to Sampaio, the rule of law, respect for human rights and the development of the market economy are crucial factors that Turkey must pay attention to. ''EU member states have an obligation to introduce Turkey to their societies without prejudice and welcome Turkey, as a historically and culturally rich nation,'' said Sampaio.
Sampaio added that there should not be any misunderstanding between EU organs and peoples of both countries. ''This is where the danger lies. This case is apparent in EU member states who have made the EU Constitutional agreement available to national vote. We must eliminate unnecessary concerns and share the ones we believe are fair,'' expressed Sampaio.
2005-05-11