Venizelos: We Would Be Pleased With Turkey's Becoming A Full Member Of E.U.

ISTANBUL (A.A) - 31.05.2002 - Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos of Greece said on Friday that Greece would make contribution to Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU), and added, ''we would be pleased with Turkey's becoming a full member of the EU.''
Speaking at the annual meeting of Turkey-Greece Business Council, Venizelos said that some positive progress was recorded in Turkish economy.
Pointing to political and cultural dimensions of the EU, Venizelos said that they wanted the EU having respect for human beings, modern democracy, principles of a state of law and elements of a social state, to become a structure beyond industry in the future.
Expressing his satisfaction over participation of Turkey in EU meetings as a candidate country, Venizelos said, ''Copenhagen criteria envisaged by the EU to start full membership negotiations with candidate countries, are decisions about democracy and human rights.''
The solution of the problems peacefully is related to the issue between Turkey-Greece-Cyprus, Venizelos said that ''I can shed light on two questions in this issue. The first question is Greece's assuming an attitude that is to the advantage of Turkey... Second of them is the accession of Cyprus to the EU and its influence on Turkish-Greek relations...My answer to these questions is clear: Greece will contribute to joining of Turkey to Europe. Greece will be pleased with the accession of Turkey to the EU as a full member...On the other hand, I can say that the accession of Cyprus (Greek Cypriot side) to the EU is not an act against Turkey and it won't yield a result adverse to the intercommunal talks.''
Venizelos said that if Cyprus joins EU, this will also contribute to the Turkish side in Cyprus, adding that the prosperity of both societies will increase and the standards of living in the Turkish Cypriot side will also increase.
The membership of Cyprus to the EU will also contribute to the Turkish economy and speed up the membership of Turkey to the EU, said Venizelos and noted that it will positively affect the relations between Turkey and Greece. Venizelos said that the accession of Cyprus and Turkey to the EU will be very advantageous.
The relations between Turkey and Greece in trade, sports and culture created a favorable environment between the two countries, said Venizelos and noted that this transformation in relations should be continued by the sides.
Venizelos said that Greece has always wanted the development of the Turkish economy and its reaching the European standards, adding that ''rapprochement is very important, and it is based on common European spirit.''
Venizelos said that trade volume between Turkey and Greece was not pleasing and noted that Turkish investors should be encouraged in Greece while the Greek investors should be encouraged in Turkey to increase trade volume.
Evangelos Venizelos stressed the importance of preservation of Ottoman artifacts in Greece and Byzantine artifacts in Turkey.
Turkey and Greece prepared a file to organize the 2008 European Football Championship together, Venizelos stated.
Venizelos noted that the file was presented to the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Turkey joined cultural olympics organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Venizelos said.
Venizelos pointed out that olympics were not only a sportive event but also a political event.
Greek-Turkish Cooperation Council President Panagiotis Koutsikos read the message of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
In his message, Papandreou said that they would be the ally and supporter of every endeavor aiming at development of the region.
Papandreou noted that Turkey and Greece were two separate countries which had their own traditions and emotional worlds.
Turkey and Greece should improve their relations in a way that it would be beneficial for the two countries today, Papandreou said.
Papandreou stated that Southeastern Europe was undergoing a significant changing period in the European restructuring perspective and added that civilians had an important role in implementation of foreign policy.