Turkey-German relations based on a sound partnership
ANKARA (AA) – German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has said that Turkey-Germany relations were based on a sound partnership, adding that Turkey had made a significant progress in its European Union (EU) membership process as a result of reform policy of the government led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In an interview with the A.A prior to his scheduled visit to Turkey, German Chancellor Schroeder said on Saturday that Turkey-Germany relations were based on a sound partnership, and that reform policy of the Turkish government had made a valuable contribution to this partnership.
Pointing out that Germany was the most important partner of Turkey in trade and investments, Schroeder reminded that Prime Minister Erdogan and he would inaugurate the Sugozu Thermic Power Plant constructed by German STEAG Company in Iskenderun town of southern province of Hatay.
He described the project worth of 1.5 million Euros as the biggest German investment in Turkey.
Referring to relations between Turkey and the EU, Schroeder said that there had been close ties between Turkey and the EU for more than 40 years.
Reminding that heads of state and government of EU-member countries would take a decision this year about opening of accession talks between Turkey and the EU, Schroeder said that Turkey had exerted important efforts to fulfil necessary criteria.
Noting that Turkey had made a significant progress in its EU membership process as a result of reform policy of the government led by Prime Minister Erdogan, Schroeder said that finding a solution to the Cyprus issue before May 1, 2004 would have a positive impact on Turkey’s EU membership process.
Schroeder said that if Turkey fulfilled Copenhagen criteria, provided an order of rule of law and protected minorities, the EU would keep its promise about setting a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey.
He noted that Turkey could rely on Germany’s support in the future.
Schroeder will become the first German Chancellor paying an official visit to Turkey after Helmut Kohl who visited Turkey in 1993.
