ROME - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Friday that EU should give a date to Turkey at Copenahgen summit to open membership talks with it before January 2004.
Speaking in a joint news conference after their meeting, Berlusconi said that ''we particularly discussed with Simitis issues of Cyprus and Turkey. To fix a date for the beginning of the negotiations encourages Turkey to enact reforms for market liberalisation and human rights.'' He said delaying the discussions could wither Turkey's enthusiasm for the EU.
Berlusconi said date for date is not acceptable, adding ''we are the advocates of Turkey in Europe.''
Berlusconi said that Greek Prime Minister Simitis, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Marie Aznar share same views about Turkey's starting accession talks with the EU.
Greek Prime Minister Simitis said in his part that a date has to be given to Turkey at Cohenhagen summit which has to be before January 2004.
''We have to give Turkey a positive message because the more this date for talks is put back, the less clear the message that we are giving will become,'' Simitis told reporters.
Upon a question, Simitis said that Cyprus issue can't be an obstacle for EU's giving a date to Turkey. ''Both sides in Cyprus responded to the Annan's plan and the negotiations continue. These negotiations will also continue after Copenhagen summit,'' he said.