Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Jan 29 2005

Erdogan: We Have Been Maintaining Our Preparatory Efforts For Our
E.U. Membership Process

Anadolu Agency: 1/29/2005
DAVOS (AA) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on
Friday, ”we have been maintaining our preparatory efforts for our EU
membership process. Also, efforts have been under way to form the
legal infrastructure for the Ankara Agreement. We are in favor of
solution.”
Prime Minister Erdogan, who is currently in Davos town of
Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum, held a news
conference.
Upon a question about so-called Armenian genocide, Prime
Minister Erdogan said, ”our official position is clear. According to
our point of view, not politicians but historians should deal with
such issues. As the Republic of Turkey, we have opened air corridor
with Armenia, and also initiated trade. There are 30 thousand
citizens of Armenian origin in Turkey. They do not have such
problems.”

-TURKEY-ISRAEL RELATIONS-
Upon a question about Turkey-Israel relations, Prime Minister
Erdogan said, ”Turkey is in favor of peace in the Middle East.
Turkey has good relations both with Israel and Palestine. But we are
against all kinds of acts of terrorism. We want two separate states
in the Middle East. We have launched a series of initiatives to this
end following the elections in Palestine. Foreign Minister & Deputy
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul paid visits to Israel and Palestine.”
”Our trade volume with Israel is about 2.5 billion U.S.
dollars. I will visit Israel and Palestine in the coming months. We
have always advocate a peaceful atmosphere. Both Israel and Palestine
should fulfil their responsibilities to this end,” he said.

-EU-
Replying to a question about Turkey’s EU membership process,
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ”we have been maintaining our
preparatory efforts for our EU membership process. Also, efforts have
been under way to form the legal infrastructure for the Ankara
Agreement. We do not want any delay. We are in favor of solution.”

-ELECTIONS IN IRAQ-
Upon a question about upcoming elections in Iraq, Prime Minister
Erdogan said, ”the elections will constitute a transition into
democracy. The new government should define the next process
carefully. It will have a heavy responsibility since it will prepare
a new constitution. This constitution should not allow sovereignty of
ethnic elements over each other. It should preserve Iraq’s
territorial integrity.”

-UKRAINE’S EU MEMBERSHIP-
Upon a question about Ukraine’s EU membership, Prime Minister
Erdogan said, ”as you know, the EU’s enlargement process has been
continuing. We support Ukraine’s EU membership as long as it is in
line with rules.”