STRASBOURG - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended on Thursday Chairmanship Council meeting of the European Parliament (EP).
European Parliament President Pat Cox welcomed Erdogan and introduced him with the leaders of the political groups in the parliament.
Cox expressed pleasure with seeing Erdogan in the parliament and stated that he was also pleased that Erdogan came to Strasbourg when EU's enlargement was being debated at the EP.
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis also attended the meeting.
SCHWIMMER: TURKEY'S BEING A MEMBER OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE FOR 53 YEARS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND THE MOST CLEAR SIGN OF ITS BEING AN EUROPEAN COUNTRY
Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer said on Thursday that Turkey's being a member of the Council of Europe for 53 years was the most important and the most clear sign of its being an European country.
Within the framework of his contacts in Strasbourg, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Schwimmer.
Speaking at the meeting, Schwimmer expressed their satisfaction with the reform process in Turkey.
Schwimmer stressed that they would continue to support Turkey fully in its steps for new reforms.
Stressing that Turkey's being an European country could not be questioned, Schwimmer said that Turkey's being a member of the Council of Europe for 53 years was the most important and the most clear sign of its being an European country.
Noting that the Copenhagen criteria which were necessary to become a full member of the European Union (EU) were in full harmony with principles of the Council of Europe, Schwimmer said that fulfillment of criteria of the Council of Ministers would mean fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria.
Meanwhile, Erdogan also met with European Parliament's Rapporteur for Turkey Arie Oostlander and Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Joost Lagendijk.
During the meetings, Erdogan stressed that the new government was determined to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria.
He also emphasized that Turkey should be given a date at the Copenhagen Summit for opening of the accession talks.
Erdogan added, ''necessary steps will be taken as soon as possible to remove the obstacles in front of freedom of thought and expression. The EU should not act with double-standards against Turkey.''
He said that although Europe reacted harsly to arrest of some mayors in Southeastern provinces and sent delegations to Turkey, it remained silent against his imprisonment due to a poem.
Later, Erdogan held a brief tete-a-tete meeting with European Parliament President Pat Cox. Following the meeting, Erdogan partook in a dinner hosted in his honor by Cox.
ERDOGAN: COUNTRIES WHERE HE PAID VISITS APPROACH POSITIVELY TO SUPPORT TURKEY AT COPENHAGEN SUMMIT
Erdogan said that almost all countries where he paid visits approached positively to support Turkey at Copenhagen Summit.
Edogan who held a press conference in Strasbourg stressed that Turkey applied to the European Union (EU) 40 years ago, and added, ''all the countries which have applied to the union in ten years reached a point to be the members of the EU. The union's not giving a negotiation date to Turkey caused some doubts related to the country.''
Erdogan said that his meetings with the president and representatives of the European Parliament were very positive, and stated, ''we are exerting efforts for Turkey to reach the result put forth by Maastrich criteria.''
Stating that there were some deficiencies in the implementation of the laws in Turkey, Erdogan said that they had determination to implement the laws.
''We told them 'to learn our promises from our web-page' and 'closely follow us and remind and warn us about our deficiencies. We also said that thus, we will try to make fewer mistakes and rapidly reach results,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan noted that almost all of the countries he had visited so far welcomed supporting Turkey at Copenhagen summit, and added, ''I cannot know what kind of a frame will occur on December 12. They expressed all these during their press statements and our bilateral contacts.''
Drawing the attention that 40 years had passed since Turkey applied for EU membership, Erdogan said, ''the only country that cannot get a negotiation date is Turkey. All candidate countries except Turkey have been given a negotiation date, ended their negotiations and are now members of this union.''
Erdogan stated that all the countries which had applied for membership in the last decade had reached the stage of becoming a full member except Turkey.
''Ruling and opposition parties in Turkey hope to join the EU. 80 percent of our people want to join the EU. This is a ready frame, and there is a historic opportunity. We have the power to rapidly overcome deficiencies if any. Then, we are saying that we will overcome deficiencies in implementation during the negotiation process after a positive decision is taken on December 12,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan added, ''this negotiation process may last for five, six, seven or eight years. Turkey will not become a full member if it does not fulfil the requirements. So, we reiterated our request from European friends to pave our way and get a negotiation date.''
Erdogan said, ''if the Europeon Union (EU) does not set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey at Copenhagen Summit in December, those who decide not to give a date to Turkey will be tested not only in front of Europe, but also in front of the world.''
Erdogan held a press conference in Strasbourg.
Responding a question about the solution plan which was presented to the sides in Cyprus by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, Erdogan said, ''we could not hold talks about the 150-page solution plan of Annan yet. The plan coincided with a unfortunate period. President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been in the United States for medical treatment. Meanwhile, general elections were held in Turkey, and the new government has been formed a few days ago. Now, vote of confidence will be held at the parliament. This period will end in the first week of December. Then, we cannot solve a problem which could not be solved for 40 years, in 3-4 days. However, we are determined to hold negotiations. We are determined to solve the Cyprus question together with Greece on the basis of mutual self sacrifice. During my meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis of Greece, I observed that he was positive about it. I hope that the Cyprus question would reach a solution before Salonica Summit through negotiations.''
When asked, ''if the EU does not set a date for opening of accession talks at the Copenhagen Summit, what will be Turkey's reaction?'' Erdogan said, ''if the EU does not set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey at Copenhagen Summit in December, those who decide not to give a date to Turkey will be tested not only in front of Europe, but also in front of the world. We will maintain our good will. We will continue to work with good will. However, I want to stress that Muslim world will assume a positive attitude towards the EU after Turkey's getting a date for opening of accession talks. Turkey's getting a date will constitute a bridge among the civilizations.''
''The principle of separation of the powers is valid in Turkey. We have not made any change in the Constitution and in laws about it. The judiciary has still been working in accordance with existing laws. Meanwhile, I am already a victim of this. For instance, I was imprisoned because I read out a poem. I could not become a candidate in the general elections. Will it continue like this? As a victim, I believe that obstacles in front of the freedom of expression and freedom of religion and conscience should be removed. We will take these steps rapidly. All these obstacles will be removed. There are some relevant laws. All these laws will be re-arranged. We will make Turkey a country of freedoms,'' he stressed.
Responding another question, Erdogan said, ''I did not say that I will take over the position of prime ministry in a month. It is totally wrongful.''
Erdogan said, ''we do not have enough time to make all necessary arrangements for Turkey's European Union (EU) membership till the Copenhagen Summit in December.''
Erdogan said, ''during my visits to European countries, I observed that all countries except for one are in favor of setting a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey. And that country which is not in favor of setting a date for Turkey, proposed to set a date for date of accession talks.''
''We do not have enough time to make all necessary arrangements for Turkey's EU membership till the Copenhagen Summit in December. But it is possible to complete them before the Salonica Summit in 2003,'' he said.
Erdogan told reporters, ''Turkey has considerably overcome difficulties on the issue of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). The EU, the Cyprus question and the ESDP can be taken up as a package.''
Referring to the solution plan which was presented by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to the sides in Cyprus, Erdogan said, ''this plan is a beginning point. If we do not accept it as a beginning point, solution of the Cyprus question will take more time. We want to begin with this new plan. This plan will be an important step both in Europe and in the world.''
Responding another question about granting Turkey a special partnership status, Erdogan said, ''we do not accept it. We should become a full member of the EU like the other countries.''
When asked, ''there is a Islamist majority in Turkey. Can non-Muslims become a member of your political party? Will Turkey become a Muslim country one day?'' Erdogan said, ''I have never said that we are an Islamist party. The AK Party is a conservative democrat political party. Meanwhile, Islam cannot be an adjective to describe a political party. Of course, non-Muslims can become members of our political party.''