ISTANBUL - German Ambassador to Turkey Rudolf Schmidt said on Tuesday that decision to be made for Turkey in Copenhagen should be evaluated under a positive light irrespective of what the decision was.
Speaking at a conference on European Union (EU) and Turkish-German relations, Schmidt said that French President and German Chancellor reached an agreement on a proposal related with Turkey.
Schmidt said that they agreed on the view that ''a date should be given to Turkey to start full membership negotiations after fulfilment of political criteria.''
''Those who are opposing to Turkey's EU membership for the time being want to give a painstaking status. My proposal to you is this: Don't see those who develop such views as an enemy and try to convince them with important arguments. But, more importantly, convince them by showing that Turkey is supporting EU values and by showing that you are ready to unconditionally adopt EU rules,'' Schmidt noted.
Schmidt said that where Europe's borders ended would be a political decision instead of a geographical decision.
Noting that Europe foresaw cultural diversity, Schmidt stressed that nobody was trying to end this diversity.
Schmidt said, ''EU will not be a Christian club. Nobody can claim this.''
Reminding that Cyprus issue would be taken up at Copenhagen summit, Schmidt said, ''Copenhagen brings forth the chance to reach a political solution in Cyprus issue within the framework of new Europe. I hope everybody will make use of the chance of a solution by respecting sovereignty of two nations.''