Algerian Minister: EU is good for Turkey

"There are many good things that will emerge from Turkey’s membership," said Khelil, speaking to the Turkish Daily News on the sidelines of a Turkey-Algeria Joint Economic Commission’s meeting in Ankara.

"The idea is to get some help from the EU about infrastructure, become more competitive and provide more of a basis to improve both per capita income and the quality of life. I think it is a good thing for Turkey," he said.

Turkey expects to start membership talks with the 25-nation union after a December summit of EU leaders who will make their decision on Turkey based on a key European Commission report due to be released on Oct. 6.

The minister said Algeria has signed an association agreement with the EU that awaits parliamentary approval. Algeria is a Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EUROMED) member and one of the greatest trade partners of the EU, together with Turkey and Israel.

EUROMED was launched by the then 15-member EU and 12 Mediterranean countries, mainly for economic and regional cooperation.

The minister said an upcoming joint meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the EU in Istanbul would enhance communication between the two organizations. "It’s an excellent initiative and it is an opportunity for people with different points of view to exchange ideas. The more we have these meetings the better," he said.

Foreign ministers of member countries, as well as candidates and observers, are expected to attend the joint OIC-EU forum scheduled to take place between Oct. 4-5. The initiative was begun by former Foreign Minister Ismail Cem following the Sept. 11 attacks in order to maintain harmony between religions. The first meeting took place in Istanbul in 2002.

Economic relations improve
Referring to the past tense relationship between Turkey and Algeria that dates back to 1958 when Turkey abstained from voting for Algeria’s self-determination right at the United Nations General Assembly, Khelil said, "Algeria and Turkey are looking towards the future, they are not looking to the past."

The tension eased after the late Prime Minister Turgut Ozal visited Algiers in 1985 and apologized for Turkey’s absence from the U.N. vote. Economic relations have improved since then and Turkish companies are taking part in many projects in Algeria, the minister said. "We have about $500 million worth of projects run by Turkish companies in Algeria right now," the Minister said.

"We’ve made a lot of progress in the trade area. This year we are going to reach about $2 billion of trade volume between our two nations which is a $500 million increase compared to last year," he added.

Khelil said he expected more investments by Turkish companies which now had knowledge of how to do business in his country. "Over the next five years we will invest $25 billion on mainly infrastructure projects. I think Turkish companies will grab a large part of the $25 billion since they are very competitive and have learned the system in Algeria," he concluded.

Khelil, who had attended an OPEC meeting in Vienna, said he foresaw difficult times in the oil market next year. Political uncertainties, including the quagmire in Iraq, the crisis in Sudan, the Israel-Palestine conflict and the upcoming U.S. elections will not help to decrease oil prices, he said.

When asked about recent discussions on whether Turkey, as a Muslim country, should be accepted as a member to the EU, he said; "Entry of a Muslim country to the EU should not be an issue." He said Muslims, such as Turkish-origin people in Germany and Algerian-origin people in France, were already living in EU countries successfully.

Recalling Turkey and Algeria had both accepted their current constitutions following a referendum with a major vote following a "coup d’etat," Khelil said: "Turkey is changing by itself. Every country is sovereign and may decide that changes in the political, economical and social environment requires a rethinking of the Constitution which may not reflect society in the way it has been drafted," Khelil said.

Khelil explained how civilian society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Algeria helped the country to change. "While we were changing very quickly, we have found out the suits we were wearing are the suits of ten years ago. We need to take off these suits and make others that will let us move easier," he said.

When asked about what that suit was, Khelil replied, "A new Constitution."