ISTANBUL - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who also acts as leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), said on Tuesday, ''there is a positive atmosphere in the European Union (EU) about setting a date for the opening of accession talks with Turkey. I am quite sure that a positive decision about Turkey will be taken during the EU Summit in Copenhagen in December.''
Yilmaz returned to Turkey after attending monthly meetings of European Convention in Brussels.
Addressing journalists at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Yilmaz said, ''this month's meeting focused on role of national parliaments in the EU. I will explain my views during the meeting. Also, draft Constitution of the EU for the future was discussed at the meeting.''
Recalling that he had held a meeting with European Union Commissioner Guenter Verheugen for enlargement, Yilmaz told reporters, ''it was understood that inclusion of Turkey in the EU's enlargement process was taken up during the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the EU Countries in Brussels last year. Leader of the EU countries reached a consensus on the issue. Now, I am quite sure that a positive decision will be taken about Turkey at the EU Summit to be held in Copenhagen in December. Political developments in Turkey and especially activities of the new government following the general elections on November 3, 2002, are of vital importance to this end. During my visit to Brussels, I got the impression that there is a positive atmosphere in the EU about setting a date for the opening of accession talks with Turkey.''
Responding a question, Yilmaz said, ''the EU can set a certain date and put a condition for Turkey to remove some deficiencies which were mentioned in the Progress Report for Turkey. ''
When asked of the EU's expectations from the general elections on November 3, Yilmaz said, ''this detail was not brought onto agenda during the meeting. They expect the general elections to result in a message that will encourage Turkey in its EU full membership process. I hope their expectation will come true. Especially the change in Germany's attitude entails us to be hopeful about the Copenhagen Summit.''