Balkenende: Rules Cannot be Changed Mid-Game

Prior to the meeting, the two men spoke to reporters. Erdogan said Turkey’s goal is "full membership" at the negotiations. "That’s why we are here. This has been a 41 year long effort. Negotiations are a tool and membership is the means." Balkenende said: "The rules cannot be changed in the middle of the game. Turkey should be treated fairly." This was a reference to the suggestion that Turkey be given privileged partnership instead of full membership.

The Dutch Prime Minister highlighted the great leaps forward that Turkey has taken toward democracy and human rights and said: "There are still deficiencies in freedom of religion and a zero tolerance approach should be implemented against torture." The Turkish Prime Minister reportedly asked Balkenende about new conditions in the December 17th draft. When Erdogan pointed out that new conditions exist in the draft, Balkenende said some of them will be investigated.

A balanced decision should be reached at the summit, but it is impossible to predict the next week’s decision today, said the Dutch Prime Minister. He also passed on France’s insistence on something like "privileged partnership."

Erdogan said Turkey hopes for a beneficial conclusion at the summit in terms of Turkish contributions in the bridging of civilizations. He also recapped the outcome of the Copenhagen summit of EU leaders who said that if the political criteria are met, negotiations should start in December of 2004 "without delay."