Erdogan Holds A Press Conference In Paris

PARIS - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, ''a decision to be taken at Copenhagen Summit of the European Union (EU) to start accession talks with Turkey in 2003, will remove the uncertainty in our relations with the EU. Such a decision will constitute a fair response to Turkey's determination.''
Erdogan who met earlier in the day with President Jacques Chirac of France, held a press conference at Turkish Embassy in French capital Paris.
Speaking at the press conference, Erdogan said, ''we hope that the EU will act with the necessary attention and sensitivity to set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey.
Noting that economic relations between Turkey and France had been further developing day by day, Erdogan said, ''France is the fifth biggest partner of Turkey in exports and imports. We can increase and diversify our bilateral trade volume.''
Stressing that Turkish people were determined to become a full member of the EU, Erdogan said, ''we consider Turkey's EU full membership the second most important modernization project after foundation of the Republic.''
''One of the most important targets of this visit is to well-assess the period till the EU's Copenhagen Summit on December 12. We expect the EU to set a date at the summit for opening of accession talks with Turkey,'' he said.
Noting that strategical, political, economic, commercial and social benefits of Turkey and the EU completed each other, Erdogan said, ''in fact, relations are set on the basis of interests. Inclusion of Turkey in the field of peace, stability, economic prosperity and social justice in Europe, will make a valuable contribution to enlargement of this field to the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia. Turkey's integration with Europe on the basis of modern values system, will affect point of view of the countries in Mediterranean, Black Sea and Caspian basins about Europe positively. As a result, relations between Europe and these countries will improve and progress towards being a worldwide power.''
Giving information about some urgent changes they plan to make about the Copenhagen criteria, Erdogan said, ''a decision to be taken at Copenhagen Summit of the EU to start accession talks with Turkey in 2003, will remove the uncertainty in our relations with the EU. Such a decision will constitute a fair response to Turkey's determination.''
Later, Erdogan thanked President Chirac for his sincere contributions to further improvement of bilateral relations between Turkey and France.
When asked whether or not the Cyprus question was brought onto agenda of the meeting, Erdogan said that the issue was not taken up.
Responding another question, Erdogan said, ''we consider the solution plan which was presented to the sides in Cyprus by United Nations Secretary General Annan negotiable. The plan has both positive and negative aspects. However, it is an unfortunate period as I said before. Negotiations in Cyprus cannot be resumed till Copenhagen Summit on December 12 due to health problems of President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and formation of a new government in Turkey. We are in favor of reaching a fair and lasting solution in the island.''
When told by a foreign journalist that he did not make any statement about religion and the Islam, Erdogan said, ''you can ask your questions about religion and the Islam to the Directorate General of Religious Affairs. I am a politician.''
Responding a question about relations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Erdogan said, ''we will maintain our relations with the IMF within the framework of the programme. We plan to explain our criticisims about social aspect of the programme during our meetings with IMF officials.''
Responding a question about constitutional amendment, Erdogan told reporters, ''these are the steps that should be taken to fulfill Copenhagen criteria.''
Erdogan stressed that they were opposed to a possible war in Iraq.
Later, Erdogan held a brief meeting with European Parliament President Pat Cox at the Turkish Embassy.