TURKEY: ITALY’S PRODI RENEWS SUPPORT FOR ANKARA’S EU BID

AKI, Italy
Jan 22 2007

Ankara, 22 Jan. (AKI) – Italian prime minister Romano Prodi on Monday
reiterated Italy’s support for Turkey’s bid to join the European Union,
describing it as a "long-term objective." "One cannot mix a problem of
such magnitude with the immediate interests of politicians," Prodi
said following talks in Ankara with Turkish prime minister, Recep
Tayyip Erdogan. Two other key EU leaders, German chancellor Angela
Merkel, and French interior minister and presidential candidate,
Nicolas Sarkozy have both said they oppose Turkey joining the EU.

Prodi said Turkey should pursue its EU goals with "patience and
coherence", through "serious and thorough" negotiations.

However he warned that Turkey must accept reforms set by the EU in
order to achieve membership and become a "resource for Europe".

Erdogan speaking at a joint news conference with Prodi after their
meeting thanked the Italian premier for Italy’s backing for Turkey’s
EU ambitions.

He also reiterated his condemnation for the murder of a prominent
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink on Friday in Istanbul which
is believed to have been politically motivated.

"No one can approve this crime. They are bullets against Turkey’s
democracy and freedom," Erdogan said.

"We are consoled by the fact that we were able to arrest the
perpetrator within 36 hours [after the murder]," Erdogan said referring
to the arrest of a 17-year old boy in connection with Dink’s killing.

"I think the European Union and those who believe in freedom will
evaluate the facts within this light. We are working on all leads in
this murderous act," Erdogan said.