ANKARA - A special status (as against full membership) in the European Union (EU) is unacceptable for Turkey, said Aldo Kaslowski, the President of the Turkish Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) International.
In an exclusive interview with A.A correspondent, Kaslowski said that Turkey's final goal was EU full membership.
Referring to the outcome of referenda held on EU Constitution in France and the Netherlands, Kaslowski said that the rejection of the EU Constitution by the people of these countries did not mean ''no'' to Turkey. ''This referendum will not have any impact on opening of negotiations on October 3rd,'' noted Kaslowski.
Kaslowski stated that Turkey would be asked (by the Union) to exert more efforts during its negotiations, and said that negotiations might last longer than expected.
Kaslowski said that all Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including TUSIAD, should try to inform EU public correctly about Turkey.
CUSTOMS UNION WAS IN FACT A SPECIAL STATUS
''A special status for Turkey is unacceptable. Accepting the Customs Union, Turkey was granted a special status. (Now) We want to become a full member at the end of negotiations, and no other alternative status is acceptable,'' stressed Kaslowski.
SPEEDING UP INITIATIVES ON ROAD TO EU
Drawing attention that efforts on the road to EU were speeded up after State Minister Ali Babacan was appointed as the chief negotiator, Kaslowski said that the EU welcomed this assignment.
Kaslowski stressed that Turkey had to take quicker steps on road to EU from now on, and said that there would not be any obstacles before Turkey's membership if Turkey fulfilled all the required reforms and convinced the EU (that it was ready for membership).
Noting that the EU was not aware of possible cultural and economic contributions of Turkey to the Union, Kaslowski said that Turkey should well-inform the EU about the economic contributions it could make.