MERKEL TO ERDOGAN: TRUST US, WE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL TO SHRODER’S WORD

Hurriyet, Turkey
April 16 2007

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in Germany for meetings
with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, received a message from the
German leader that her administration would remain faithful to the
principles and decisions taken by the previous Schroder government
in regards to Turkish membership in the EU.

Erdogan and Merkel met yesterday for an hour before Erdogan left to
attend the opening of the Hannover Industrial Trade Fair, at which
Turkey is participating as a "Partner Country." During the meetings
with Merkel, aside from Erdogan, only top ranked AKP consultant Cuneyd
Zapsu was present.

Erdogan reportedly relayed to Merkel during the meeting Ankara’s
discomfort with not having been invited to the 50th birthday
celebrations for the EU in Berlin, as well as Merkel’s recent
assertions that the "EU’s foundation is based on Christianity."

Erdogan also reportedly brought up the subject of a bill being
prepared which would bring about fines for people denying the so-called
Armenian genocide.

In response to Erdogan’s complaints, Merkel brought up the topic of
EU expectations from Ankara in regards to Cyprus, and harmony with
protocols which Ankara had previously promised to follow.

The two leaders laters answered questions at a joint press conference.