Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Dec 14 2004
Erdogan Confirms the ISRO Survey: EU Should Fufill Its Duties
Turkish PM Erdogan Confirms the ISRO Survey. Erdogan Says Turkey has
Fulfilled All the Critera Asked by the EU, and It is the EU’s Turn.
Selin Akyuz, JTW – Ankara
14 December 2004
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey has done all
from ‘A to Z’ and it was the turn of the EU now. The ISRO’s latest
the EU Perception Survey has reached the similar results. According
to the Survey, Turkish people (78 %) thinks that Turkey has done all
requirments for EU negotiations. However the Turkish public (84%),
according to the Survey, perceives that the EU is not ‘fair’ and
‘sincere’ in its treatment towards Turkey (For the details please see
the “Surveys” section)
Addressing his party’s (AK Party) group at the Parliament, PM Tayyip
Erdogan said that Turkey has been waiting for 40 years to be admitted
to the EU.
PM Erdogan argued that Turkey has fulfilled all its responsibilities
from ‘A to Z’ and waiting for a decision of the EU on a date of
negotiation.
He called the EU leaders to make a decision responding to the
expectations of the Turkish people and the sensitivities of the
State.
Gul: “The EU Leaders Should Be Loyal to Their Words”
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also called the EU leaders “to
keep their promises”.
“The EU leaders should be loyal to their words and signatures…
Turkey had applied to the EU about 45 years ago… All we want is a
full integration between Turkey and the EU. This integration will
contribute not only to Turkey but also to the EU and to all of the
world.” added Gul.
Gul sid “There is only one criteria to start the negotiations: The
Copenhagen Political Criteria. Anybody now knows that Turkey has
fulfilled this criteria in last two years, and the Turkish public has
strongly supported Turkish Parliement and Government in this process.
Dr. Bal: “Turkey-Sceptics Curtail Their Real Aims Regarding Turkey”
Dr. Ihsan Bal similarly says “Turkey-sceptics curtail their real
feelings regarding Turkey”. “The EU has to do its duties. The EU
leaders cannot escape from their historical duties just by accusing
the other side” added Dr. Bal.
Bal further continued:
“EU-Turkey relations is not love-hate relations. These relations are
based on common interests, and mutual understanding. This
relationship is not an emotional but a rational one. If both sides
think that they will benefit from each other, negotiation process has
to be started without any delay. As a matter of fact that there are
some EU leaders whom takes the debate to irretional arena. They
criticize Turkey for Cyprus, Armenian issue, economy, population,
culture etc. However they curtain their real ideas with the third
parts’ issues. If they rationally estimate Turkey’s possible
contribution to the EU, they would not have made efforts to delay
Turkey’s entry.”