VIENNA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in Vienna on a two-day official visit, met Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik on Friday.
Following his meeting with Plassnik, Gul said that a decision would be made on Turkey's accession to the EU after the completion of the negotiation process, stating that Turkey has fulfilled so far what was required on its way to the EU.
''We have done the necessary regarding the adjustment protocol and we will continue to do so,'' he stressed.
Replying to a question on the negotiation process, Gul indicated, ''there are many things to do. We will bring Turkey to the level of the EU during this process. Turkish government is determined on this matter.''
When a reporter said, ''what will happen if France hold a referendum and say 'no' to Turkey's membership after the negotiation process is completed?'' Gul stated, ''if France does this, we will respect its decision. But many things will take place in Turkey during the negotiation process. There will be many changes in Turkey within the next 10 years. Turkey would upgrade its standards to the level of EU during the negotiation period.''
On the other hand replying to a question, Plassnik noted that Turkey and Austria had very good relations, stating that 250 thousand Turkish citizens living in Austria contributed to this positive process.
Later today, Foreign Minister Gul will be received by President Heinz Fischer of Austria.
On June 4th, Gul will attend the European Forum in Wachau and deliver a speech on ''Outlook for the Future: Europe One Year After Enlargement''.
(E֭ULG)
2005-06-03