Erdogan Meets With Prime Minister Barroso Of Portugal

LISBON - Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso of Portugal said on Monday that they should support formation of a democratic, secular and European state in Turkey.
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Barroso of Portugal held a joint press conference following their meeting.
Speaking at the press conference, Prime Minister Barroso expressed his pleasure with hosting Erdogan in Lisbon.
Noting that Erdogan's visits to European capitals were the sign of new Turkish political power's interest in the European Union (EU), Prime Minister Barroso said that the EU should clarify whether or not it wants to see Turkey in the Union.
Pointing out that the EU was not based on an ethnic and religious structure, Prime Minister Barroso said the EU should be a sign of pluralism.
Stressing that Turkey should become a full member of the EU, Prime Minister Barroso told reporters that Turkey's membership would serve interests of Europe, the world and Turkey.
''If Turkey fulfills Copenhagen criteria, it should enter the EU,'' he said.
Prime Minister Barroso added, ''Turkey has been taking the necessary steps to become a full member of the EU. I think that if Turkey takes some sensitive steps, the EU will set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey at Copenhagen Summit in December. We should support formation of a democratic, secular and European state in Turkey. Since we do not want a Europe which is divided with religious limits, our response to Turkey will also be our response to the world and to the Islam.''
Speaking at the press conference, Erdogan said, ''we attribute great importance to further improvement of our relations with Portugal. I would like to host Portuguese President and Prime Minister Barroso in Turkey.''
Noting that mutual visits would lead to Turkey and Portugal to take positive steps about each other, Erdogan said, ''foundation of friendship groups at Turkish and Portuguese parliaments should be encouraged.''
Referring to development of economic relations between Turkey and Portugal, Erdogan said, ''we should put in practice the agreement about prevention of double taxation as soon as possible. The agreement will make a valuable contribution to commercial relations between the two countries.''
Erdogan stressed that Turkish people were determined about the EU full membership.
Erdogan said that they conveyed their desire of studying together to speed up the membership process of Turkey to EU and he added that the highness of vote amount to AK Party is an important development for Turkish politics. He said that they stated earlier that Turkey wants to access EU as the closest target prior to the elections and they started that process rapidly after the elections.
Noting that the stability, security and strategical, political, economical and social benefits of Turkey and EU complete each other, Erdogan said that one of the most important targets of his visit is to evaluate the short period in best way prior to EU Summit on December 12.
Erdogan said that they expect that a negotiation date will be given to Turkey in Copenhagen Summit, adding that there is a Turkey which is determined to access EU with its ruling and opposition parties and many of the EU member countries do not draw such a table.
Erdogan said that if Turkey is given a date in Copenhagen, it will eliminate many uncertainties.
''Any negative result that will be issued from here will spread the question 'I wonder' in our people. It will help intentions of marginal groups. We don't want opportunities to be given to this. Particularly Turkey's getting a date on December 12 would positively affect point of view of Moslem world to the EU,'' he noted.
Erdogan said, ''Turkey will be a model showing how Islam and democracy would be in harmonization. This is very important.''
Stressing that Turkey's integration with Europe would also positively affect the point of view of states in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Caspian basin toward Europe, Erdogan said thus important steps would be taken for the EU to become a worldwide force.
Reiterating Turkey's targets pertaining to Copenhagen political criteria, Erdogan said the constitution would be reviewed under the light of European Convention on Human Rights, and that new arrangements would be made in election and political parties law. He said torture would never be tolerated, and that EU Integration Commission would be set up in the Parliament aiming to provide necessary evaluation and coordination.
Erdogan said they wanted to implement the arrangements in question in cooperation with EU member countries, adding that, ''I believe that the decision that would be taken in Copenhagen summit to start full membership negotiations with Turkey in 2003, will remove uncertainty in the next stage of relations. Such a decision will constitute a fair response to determination of Turkey on EU membership.''
When asked, ''did Prime Minister Barroso enumerated factors preventing Turkey from getting a date for opening of accession talks with the EU? Did he made any recommendations? Besides your nine commitments, a 36-article democratization package is in question. Can you complete them till December 12?'' Erdogan said, ''the nine article is about our deficiencies. And the 36-article package is regarded with the EU adjustment laws.''
''After formation of the commissions at the parliament, we will work to adopt these laws. We aim at completing them till Copenhagen Summit of the EU in December. However, there are just few days. We will take rapid steps to prove our sincerity and honesty. As a new and sound political power, we have been getting prepared for Copenhagen Summit of the EU on December 12, 2002,'' he emphasized.
Upon a question whether or not he wants starting negotiations about Cyprus if EU does not give a certain response, Erdogan said that the Cyprus Plan presented by United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan can be negotiated. He emphasized that the plan can be negotiated and it has negative parts besides its positive parts, adding that they would like to solve the question by mutual self-sacrifice and they want a just and permanent solution.
Erdogan said that taking a result in such a short time until December 12 is impossible and added that the question should not be connected with EU process.
Noting that they will eliminate deficiencies in Copenhagen criteria if a negotiation date is given, Erdogan said that Cyprus question will also continue during negotiation process.
Meanwhile, Barroso said that he conveyed his ideas about Cyprus and ESDP to Erdogan sincerely and honestly, adding that they do not consider those subjects as pre-condition.
Barroso said the global atmosphere depended on the steps that would be taken by Erdogan and new officials, adding that, ''I think there is a historic opportunity for Turkey. I talked to Mr. Erdogan.''
Stating that visits of Erdogan and his statements were important for the point of view of the EU toward Turkey, Barosso said they welcomed that the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan could be negotiated.
Barroso said they wanted the issue to be solved quickly, stressing that they did not want to add more problems to the Union, and stated that they tell their Turkish friends to make sacrifices. He said, ''at the same time we understand that this not only requires the Turkish side's concession, but that the other side should take some steps. This is very important.''
Barroso said his country attributed very much importance to role of Turkey within NATO, stressing that Portugal would support setting a date for Turkey in Copenhagen Summit in case the pre-conditions on democratization and other issues are met, and if the general progress is positive.
He said they could not keep Turkey and its nation waiting, and noted that the response should be ''yes'' if Turkey fulfills the criteria. Barroso said this was for the benefit of Turkey and the EU.
Barroso said they wanted a Europe not only basing on interests, but also on the values of democracy, tolerance and pluralism. He said with the decision they would take, they should show all the world that they were not against Islam.