Praising the reforms realized by Turkey and her initiatives for a settlement in Cyprus, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said that; I believe that negotiations with Turkey will begin in 2005, either in March or June.
Voicing support to Turkey’s EU bid, Chancellor Schröder mentioned a name for the first time, during his one-one-one talk with PM Erdogan. He said; Continue this way. If Turkey’s progress towards EU is not diverted, I believe that the EU will decide in its summit in December to begin talks with Turkey and these would begin in the first part of 2005, in either March or June. AT their joint press conference, Schröder said that their support to Turkey’s EU bid had two reasons, namely; Europe had, 40 years ago promised to Turkey and secondly, Turkey will combine the values of a country with a predominantly Moslem population and the values of EU and will make a contribution to democracy and stability in the country.
Verheugen: I support Schröder!
EU Commission's Commissioner in charge of Enlargement, Günther Verheugen voiced support to German Prime Minister Gerhard Schröder who voiced full support to begin accession talks with Turkey. Speaking to the Deutschlandfunk radio, Verheugen said that , for its future political and economic security, EU must be partners with Turkey and that he supported the Turkey policy of German PM. Schröder.
He said; The stance of the German PM towards the EU membership of Turkey, is underlied by great strategic considerations shared by the European heads of state and government.
Verheugen also voiced faith in Turkey's fulfilling the membership criteria until the end of the year.
Opposition CDU's foreign policy spokesman Freidbert Pflüger told ARD TV channel that there was no return from the membership process which was promised to Turkey.
The Turkish society in Germany issued a statement welcoming the statement made by Schröder in Turkey.
ISTANBUL SINCE 1453
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Ah, I don't think the EU will acccept Turkey, it has to many problems, starting with Economics, also I think a majority of people in the EU believe that Turkey doesn't belong to europe, as it only has a tiny piece of land on the European Continent.
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I've gotten to know Turkey, Turks and Turk leaders much better over the last year or so-since the Cyprus talks have taken on new impetus. And I can safely say I don't see Turkey entering the EU anytime in the next 5 years. Too much remains to be changed. That nation is too much a part of the middle-east mentality. They don't respect european laws, institutions or human rights. The only reason the Turks want to get into the EU is for economic reasons.
The EU is not just a common market. It's much deeper than that. Laws respecting human rights are part of the total package. Look at Turkey's behavior in Cyprus-they want all kinds of "abrogations" (exceptions) to the laws requiring full human rights to be accepted in a reunified Cyprus. They just don't get it. Probably never will.
I don't see Turkey even being CONSIDERED for the EU before 5 more years. If I had to guesss, I'd say Turkey will never be in the EU. They're just too uneuropean, frankly.
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He's screwing up the talks and in doing so SCREWING UP TURKEY'S PLANNED ACCESSION TO THE EU. No Cyprus deal, no EU for Turkey and the Turks know it. But Rauf can't keep his big mouth shut. Keeps asking for the moon when nobody really wants TRNC to join Cyprus or Turkey to join the EU for that matter.
Turks were dealt no cards in this hand and yet they are acting like they have a full house. They'll screw it up by acting stupid. Always have, always will.
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