Gul: An Important Milestone Has Been Attained

ATA PLANE - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has said that an important milestone had been attained in Turkey's forty-year European Union (EU) adventure, adding, ''so far, the EU was always putting pressure on us. There was a change in attitude for the first time and Turkey is putting pressure on the EU.''
While he was returning from Copenhagen to Ankara, Gul answered the A.A correspondent’s questions aboard the Ata Plane.
Gul said that ''date for date'' and ''uncertainties'' had been discussed in Turkey before the Copenhagen summit, but something was currently put forward ''clearly''.
Noting that an important progress had been achieved in Turkey's 40-year EU adventure, and the point when accession talks with Turkey would start had been set, Gul said that this had removed uncertainties.
''We all knew that this would not be so easy. So we insisted on 2003. Because we knew that many important EU countries were completely against setting a date for Turkey and some of them were thinking about a later date. By taking into consideration that a joint decision would be taken, we insisted on an earlier date. However, they decided on 2004,'' he said.
''Here another important point was that this was included in a written document. We insisted till the last minute. In written documents, these were included to remove uncertainties and bring definite results. Besides, after the last ceremony, the French President, British and Italian prime ministers and prime ministers of many other countries came to me and said, 'everything would be made earlier if you continue to fulfill things rapidly'. I take this very seriously. Because, as the government, we will exert ourselves to have Turkey record more progress in the progress report to be released in October of 2003. So far, the EU was always putting pressure on us. There was a change in attitude for the first time and Turkey is putting pressure on the EU and while doing this, it does not put meaningless pressure. It says, 'I have fulfilled every necessary thing so you should take step'. We have seen outcomes of this at the summit. So far, Turkey was always expending efforts to satisfy the EU but here the EU exerted efforts to please Turkey. They always expended efforts on 'how we can satisfy you'. So yesterday's developments were meaningful,'' he said.
Noting that steps had been taken to please Turkey even after preparation of the draft final statement, Gul said, ''Turkey's road is clear. Now, Turkey's EU membership which had been considered in an hesitant virtual environment so far has been drawn to real environment. Tracks have been established and Turkey has taken its part.''
Stressing that it had been affirmed for several times in EU's written documents that Turkey's EU membership was a road of no return, Gul said, ''now, everything somehow depends on us. As long as we arrange domestic works, our opportunity to put pressure on EU increases.''
''I am certain that markets will evaluate this in a better way after latest developments. And we see that foreign markets evaluated this very well. The aim of our efforts and reforms is to make Turkish people more free and put Turkish economy on more rational basis. Winning such a definite date and putting our progress on the EU path on a healthy basis will accelerate investments in Turkey and Turkey will be an attractive region for foreign investors. All of these are the steps taken to increase Turkey's national income and enrich it. Actually, all processes accelerate when we rapidly increase our national income in coming years,'' Gul said.
Regarding the solution of the European Security and Defense policy issue and Turkey's participation in European Army, Gul said, ''everything developed under the Ankara agreement. Turkey's initiatives were accepted and we reached a result. Of course, also we don't want Turkey to be a problem about the issues regarding Europe. The important thing is whether or not solutions satisfy us. A result which Turkey wanted was reached.''
When recalled of today's newspapers which reported British Prime Minister Tony Blair as saying, ''Turkey won the date it wanted'' and of the U.S. press which defined the date as ''defeat of Turkey and Bush'', Gul said that the United States had expended efforts for Turkey so they were grateful.
''We did not talk to them on the phone every day and ask them, 'do this and that, too'. Also the United States has plans about the future. Under this, they exerted efforts in favor of Turkey. Leaders of some EU countries can feel the need to send messages to their public opinion. This should be considered in this way. At this summit, the public opinion of France and Germany was taken into consideration,'' Gul noted.
GUL: TURKEY HAS TAKEN A VERY CERTAIN STEP ON THE PATH LEADING TO EU
Holding a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport after his arrival from Danish capital Copenhagen where he had attended the meeting of heads of state and government of member and candidate countries to the EU, Gul said, ''Copenhagen summit was one of the historical summits of the EU. During the summit, important decisions have been taken about the EU's enlargement process. Turkey became the most important topic of the summit.''
''Before the summit, we expended efforts to get a certain date for opening of accession talks with the EU. Our parliament displayed a great performance and enacted the first reform package. Works about approval of the second package will start in coming days. We have expended great efforts about Turkey's EU full membership, because our people deserved it. Turkey aims at reaching the level of modern countries. In fact, Copenhagen political criteria concern Turkey and Turkish people. We will maintain the reform process for the welfare of our people,'' he said.
Prime Minister Gul continued, ''decisions are taken in the EU unanimously. Some EU members defended that Turkey should not be given a date for opening of accession talks, while some others proposed further dates. However, Turkey has taken a very certain step on the path leading to EU full membership. Turkey's candidacy which was controversial has become certain. The year 2004 was accepted as a certain date for opening of accession talks with Turkey. Also, it was decided to start accession talks between Turkey and the EU without any delay. Now, our mission is to prepare Turkey. We should reveal Turkey's progress in meetings to be held in 2003, and in the progress report to be released in October of 2003. Following our latest meeting with the EU leaders, leaders of many countries told me that accession talks could be started earlier in line with Turkey's performance. I want to stress that the most important thing was removal of uncertainties. In fact, we expected to get an earlier date. We have done our utmost to get an earlier date. However, the facts are clear. The EU's inner arguments and priorities were taken into consideration. We targeted to get a date in the beginning of 2004, but we get a date in the end of 2004. I want to reiterate once again, we will maintain democratic and economic reforms with a great determination not only for the EU full membership, but also for welfare of our people.''
''The EU has always put pressure on Turkey so far. But, Turkey has begun to put pressure on the EU with the 58th government. Turkey attended Copenhagen summit after fulfilling its responsibilities. Meanwhile, the EU changed its draft text. It was a very important development. Now, we will do our utmost to remove deficiencies,'' he added.
GUL: EU'S ENLARGEMENT PROCESS IS ON A ROAD OF NO RETURN
Question: How will EU candidacy of the Greek Cypriot side affect Turkey's candidacy?
Gul: If you read the text carefully, it was explained and signed in the documents. Enlargement process of the EU is on a road of no return. Therefore, no one can block or prevent it. All these commitments were made. We do not see any obstacle.
Question: You said that Turkey could seek new alternatives except for the EU. What do you mean?
Gul: My statement was quite clear. I said that Turkey has a great potential. I said, ''Turkey is a country having a broad potential in foreign politics. Turkey will develop its foreign political methods. European perspective will take place in this development.''
Question: Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan brought onto agenda a referendum about the issue of Iraq. What is your policy about Iraq?
Gul: I think that we will discuss the issue of Iraq much more in the coming days. Mr. Erdogan meant, ''in democratic countries, policies except for views of the public opinion cannot be followed.'' Otherwise, it is impossible to hold referendum in accordance with the Constitution.
Question: Can Turkey and Greece solve their problems without applying to the Court of Justice in the Hague?
Gul: There is compromise in general on these issues. I believe that obstructing attitudes would not emerge. In fact, Greece expended positive efforts for Turkey's getting a date for opening of accession talks with the EU.
Question: What kind of a policy will Turkey follow about the Cyprus question?
Gul: The Cyprus question was not brought onto agenda during Copenhagen Summit. The Cyprus question and the EU's enlargement process are different. Developments about the Cyprus question have been discussed within the framework of the plan of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. There is a period till February 28, 2003. I hope that a satisfactory compromise would be reached till this date. Meanwhile, I want to stress that Turkey would protect its national interests as taking such historical decisions.