ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator Ali Babacan said on Friday that Turkey's route and target were certain and that Turkey was determined in its EU bid.
''Turkey will be closer to EU in the next decade,'' told Babacan in a consultation meeting of the Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD) in Istanbul.
Babacan stressed that Turkey became a very stable country both economically and politically, adding that Turkey's EU vision was the most important reason for that.
Noting that Turkey undertook political reforms to fulfil the Copenhagen criteria, Babacan said that the reform process would continue in Turkey.
Babacan indicated that Turkey's total system would have been reviewed and improved due to the negotiation process with the EU, adding that three-fourths of the entry talks would be related to economy.
''In the course of time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will gradually leave the sphere of structural reforms, and we will concentrate on economic issues with the EU,'' said Babacan.
Beginning of entry talks with the EU on October 3rd would be a milestone both for Turkey and the EU, Babacan said and added that Turkey would continue to work hard for its EU bid.
(֓-MS)
2005-06-03