Schroeder says referendum on EU Constitution will not affect Turkey

Xinhua General News Service
May 4, 2005 Wednesday 6:00 AM EST

ANKARA — Any referendum to be held in any European Union (EU) member
state on the EU Constitution will not affect Turkey’s membership bid,
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said here on Wednesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan after their meeting, Schroeder said there were
liabilities undertaken by both Turkey and the EU on Turkey’s accession
process, adding that Turkey should continue its reforms and the EU
should open full membership negotiations with Turkey on time.

Schroeder said he and Erdogan discussed mainly economic matters,
adding that Germany was No. 1 trade partner of Turkey and Germany was
attaching great importance to the improvement of economic relations
with Turkey.

He also hailed Erdogan’s proposal to set up a joint commission with
Armenia to examine archives regarding the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations.

“We consider these approaches positive, and we will extend every
assistance we can,” he said.

Schroeder arrived in Turkey with 600 German businessmen on Tuesday
to attend the Turkish-German economy forum Wednesday.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress