Turkish Press
June 17 2005

Press Review

AKSAM

SCHROEDER DEFENDS TURKEY~RS FULL EU MEMBERSHIP TRACK

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder yesterday argued that a Muslim but
secular country like Turkey should absolutely join the camp of the
Western Enlightenment. Addressing Germany’s Parliament, Schroeder
underscored the importance of Turkey’s membership, arguing that
concerns about Turkey’s upcoming membership talks are baseless.
“Turkey might become a full EU member if it fulfills all of the
required criteria and overcomes the Cyprus problem,” he added. “Risks
pertaining to Ankara’s talks might be controlled, and negotiations
might be suspended whenever necessary.” For her part, opposition
Christian Democratic Union head Angela Merker reiterated her party’s
well-known position that Turkey should be offered a “privileged
partnership” rather full membership. Merkel called on Turkey to
solve its problems concerning Cyprus and Armenia by Oct. 3, when the
country’s membership negotiations are expected to begin. In addition,
Ulrike Hauer, head of the Delegation of the European Commission to
Turkey for the Economy, said that Turkey had recently shown great
progress both in its macro-economic stability program and structural
reforms. /Aksam/