ANKARA - AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the date of 2005 mentioned by French President Jacques Chirac for EU's starting talks with Turkey is unacceptable and this issue should be discussed.
Erdogan said that he has to discuss this issue with both German Chancellor and French President and also with EU Term President Denmark in the coming days, adding that ''this is not acceptable.''
Responding to questions of citizens in CNN Turk channel, Erdogan said that when his party came to power, he visited EU countries' prime ministers, presidents and parliament speakers.
''Whatever the result will be, we proved the power of Turkey in foreign policy to Europe in 15 days. Turkey is not on the agenda of Europe only, but it is on the agenda of the world due to our efforts,'' Erdogan said, adding that the initiatives about EU process will continue. Turkey wants to get a negotiation date from EU, he said adding that ''we tell EU that it is also tested and if it does not give a date to a country which waits for 40 years, it won't be forgiven historically.''
''Is Turkey ready for EU?'' asked citizens to Erdogan who said that ''Turkey is ready, it did many things when compared to other states and that it is ahead of other countries.'' Erdogan said if EU does not give a date to Turkey this will be double standard.
When reminded about the words of French President Chirac, Erdogan said that ''I think that this issue is still up for debate. In our final round of lobbying we need to talk again to the Germans, the French and the term president. It's not acceptable. We amended 48 articles of the Constitution in the last 19 months and we amend 31 articles now.''
The government is very resolved to get a date from EU, he said adding that ''if it is not the case, Turkey will continue to fulfil Copenhagen criteria.''
Erdogan said that ''if the EU gives a talks date, then the Islamic world's opinion of the EU will improve. And both Turkey and EU willl have strategic advantages. Turkey will emerge as a model showing how the culture of Islam and democracy can live together,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan said that ''if EU gives negotiation date, it will end the clash among civilizations and Turkey will be the bridge of compromise among civilizations.''

ERDOGAN: FIRST OF ALL THE BAN ON ME HAS TO BE LIFTED
AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that first of all the ban on him has to be lifted for him to become the prime minister.
Erdogan said that ''the party has not received yet the reasoned verdict of the Higher Election Board which cancelled the elections in Siirt province.''
''First of all the ban on me has to be lifted, secondly the friends who became deputies on Nov. 3 have to resign. If these two things happen, my candidacy can be possible. The party supports this view. But we also need certain legal amendments,'' Erdogan said.
When asked if a prime ministry crisis could come out between Prime Minister Gul and him, Erdogan said that ''no, definetely not.''
When asked why the government postponed the issue of lifting parliamentary immunities for one year, Erdogan said that he didn't believe that the judiciary is independent and that he was one of the victims.
When asked a question about the issue of head scarf, Erdogan said that the number one issue of Turkey is economy. ''I don't say that the head scarf issue is not an issue of this country, if there is a problem, we can't ignore it. But certain circles try to bring to agenda this problem. We will solve this issue with social compromise and consensus.''
When asked if he would take his wife to Copenhagen, Erdogan said ''no, this is just a one-day trip.''
Upon another question, Erdogan said that the views of CHP will be taken regarding the second EU adjustment laws package.
When asked when would torture be cleaned off from Turkey's agenda, Erdogan said that '''you can't say that torture ends by 100 percent. But our Interior Minister, minister in charge of human rights and justice minister will particularly deal with this issue.''
ERDOGAN: IRAQI ISSUE SHOULD BE PEACEFULLY SOLVED
AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the Iraqi issue has to be peacefully solved.
Erdogan said that U.N. weapon inspectors continue their studies in Iraq and he considers the issue in respect of international law. The decision of U.N. is important and Turkey waits for this decision, said Erdogan.
Turkey and the U.S. have different views about Iraqi issue, adding that Turkey is not ready to pay a new cost like the one it paid after the Gulf Crisis.
Regarding Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that his party supports the view of ''a partnership state based on two equal, sovereign founding states.''
Noting that there are certain realities and sine quo nons about Cyprus, Erdogan said that ''one of them is Karpaz, they say there are Greek Cypriots there. Well there are Turks in the south. Karpaz can't be given. Guzelyurt is the only region of Northern Cyprus where there is water, we can't give it to the south, too.''