Oger: Turkey's Membership Will Have Many Benefits To E.U.

STORKOW - Oger Tours Executive Board Chairman Vural Oger attended on Wednesday the meeting between German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac.
Following the meeting, Oger told reporters that Turkey's membership would have many benefits to the European Union (EU).
Oger said, ''Turkey's EU membership is very important to solve future crises because future crises will occur between the western countries and radical forces in Islam countries. The EU has to admit Turkey if it wants to become a political power.''
Association agreement was signed by the German Christian Democrat Union Party (CDU) government in 1963, Oger noted.
Oger said, ''the EU will become a political power together with Turkey and will save itself from shadow of the United States.''
Stressing that EU accession was Turkey's national policy, Oger noted that he explained Chirac Turkey's importance and the important role it could play in structuring of the EU as a Muslim country.
Oger pointed out that Chirac was positive towards Turkey's EU membership but said that this could take time. He noted, ''I believe that a more positive decision can be given for Turkey after this meeting.''
Schroeder was supporting Turkey's EU membership, Oger said and added that German government could exert more efforts for Turkey's EU membership if there was not any state elections in February.
There was not such problem in France, Oger stated.
Oger pointed out that the two leaders were positive towards Turkey's EU membership and said, ''conservative circles are against it. The ruling parties do not want to take voters against them but, Turkey will continue its path in Europe.''
Noting that Chirac and Schroeder stressed that Turkey's EU path was long, Oger said that even ''date for a date to start entry talks'' would be a positive step.
Oger stated, ''it seems that Germany's thesis is a date for a date. The reason is the state elections. Chirac does not have such a problem. Germany has concerns about free movement.''
Vural Oger quoted Chirac as saying that Turkish culture was older than culture of Europe and that Turkey was a European country.
''I stated that we want concrete decisions and Turks will be very pleased if they are given a date to open negotiations in Copenhagen. Setting a calender will not mean that Turkey will immediately join the EU but Turkey has to be given a perspective,'' Oger said.
Oger noted that Schroeder believed that a negotiation calender would be given to Turkey till Dublin summit due in 2004 and said, ''I saw that Chirac was very positive but, a calender may not be given immediately in Copenhagen. Although 2004 seems as a late date, it is not that much late after waiting for 40 years. I feel Turkey will be given a date earlier.''