Erdogan: Papadopulous Promised to Say ‘Yes’

An interview with Erdogan was broadcast the other night (October 12) on Greek state television, NET. Erdogan pointed out that he did not believe the news in the media lately that said the Greek administration would veto the start of negotiations with Turkey. He said, "In our meeting in Dublin, the esteemed Papadopulous promised to say ‘yes’ to Turkey’s accession to the European Union and promised not to show a negative attitude." He will also have the support of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis at the summit, Erdogan said: "Can two political leaders who are good friends and want to be friends until the end of time mislead each other? It is impossible." In response to a question about the statements of Greek President Kostis Stefanopulous demanding recognition of the Greek-Cypriot side, the opening of Heybeliada Seminary, and property in Istanbul, Erdogan expressed that these topics were coming to the agenda but that they were not relevant to current EU criteria.

Erdogan remarked that although the progress report released by the EU Commission had negative aspects, he only wants to see the positive sides of it. "We will evaluate these with EU leaders before the summit and then try to find a common base," he said. Erdogan said arguments about conditional membership are wrong and that Turkey has fulfilled the Copenhagen Criteria, the pre-condition to starting negotiations. He stressed that the current goal is to meet the Maastrich Criteria.