Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 5 2005

ANKARA:
Schroeder, ‘Turkey has fulfilled its promises to EU’

ANKARA – “Turkey has fulfilled its promises to the EU so far. I
believe it will fulfill its promises until October 3rd as well,”
said German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Mr Schroeder, who has been a strong supporter of Turkey’s bid for
EU membership, said it was important for the EU to start talks with
Turkey as planned on 3 October.

Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted a dinner in honor of
Schroeder on Tuesday.

Schroeder conveyed his views to Erdogan about economic, political,
commercial and cultural relations between Turkey and Germany as well
as EU, Armenia and Cyprus issues.

‘ISOLATION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS SHOULD BE ENDED’

Supporting the end of the isolation over Northern Cyprus, Schroder
explained that Turkey should continue with its reforms and the Union
should ensure membership negotiations start on time. The German
Chancellor underlined that the Adjustment Protocol of the Ankara
Agreement should be signed before October 3.

Schroeder said, “we welcome Turkey’s steps regarding Cyprus issue. I
hope Turkey will sign Ankara Agreement Protocol before October 3rd.”

Erdogan and Schroeder expressed pleasure over positive and dynamic
relations between Turkey and Germany.

Both leaders agreed to pursue relations in trade and investment areas
with further cooperation between two countries.

SCHROEDER SUPPORTS TURKEY IN ARMENIAN ISSUE

Chancellor Schroeder has backed the initiative of Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on forming a historical commission to
study the historical disputes between Turkey and Armenia.
The first day of Schroeder’s official visit to Turkey, Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroder over Armenian genocide allegations in a meeting in Ankara.
Erdogan reminded Schroder of the vote to be held in the German
Parliament for the recognition of the so-called genocide and said:
“If you recognize the genocide, it would be more difficult for many
Turks in Germany to integrate in your country. Our relations, which
are currently on good terms, would be jeopardized.”

“We welcome the proposal which was presented to Armenian President
Robert Kocharian. We will support every step which will be taken to
develop relations between Turkey and Armenia. We support the proposal
of opening archives mutually and historians to be included in the
issue. Joint study of historians will be an important step,”
Chancellor Schroeder said.

JTW
5 May 2005