Referendum Results Do Not Affect Turkey's Eu Entry Talks, Lagendijk

STRASBOURG (AA) - EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-chairman Joost Lagendijk said on Thursday that rejection of EU Constitution in France and the Netherlands in referendums does not affect EU's starting entry talks with Turkey.
Speaking to A.A correspondent, Lagendijk said that he can understand concerns of Turkey, but referendum results do not constitute a danger for EU entry talks of Turkey. Majority of the EU supports entry talks to start, he added.
Christian Democrats in Europe, which were against Turkey's EU membership, now accepted entry talks to start, he said, noting that even Christian Democrats Union in Germany knows it cannot prevent talks, but says Turkey should be given privileged partnership after talks.
Mentioning EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission meetings which will be held in Istanbul next week, Lagendijk said that he will discuss referendum results with his colleagues during meetings.

2005-06-09