Turkish PM Reacts to Merkel’s Proposal

February 17, 2004 admin-dominor

Stating that Merkel’s proposal absolutely is not on Turkey’s agenda, Erdogan said, "It is not understandable how this offer, which has never been made to any other country, was made to us." The Prime Minister added that Turkey would insist on its goal of full membership.

Merkel, who says that they approach Turkey’s E.U. membership with criticism, added, " it does not mean that we consider Turkey to be a second-class country."

Merkel, who is presently in Ankara for official meetings, stated in a joint press conference with Erdogan that Turkey was not ready for full membership to the E.U.

Stating that Turkey fulfilled the Copenhagen Criteria, Erdogan said, "We are the most eligible candidate country to execute the criteria for access to the E.U. It is not understandable how such an offer, which has never been made to any other country, was made to Turkey." Merkel stated that even if Turkey executed the Copenhagen criteria, E.U.’s budget will be forced with new 10 members.

Stating that they do not consider the E.U. to be a ‘steel-coal Union’ or a ‘Christian Club’, Erdogan stated that the E.U. was a politically valuable union. The Prime Minister emphasized that the best way to prove that the E.U. is not a Christian Club, is to allow full membership of Turkey.

To the contrary, Merkel alleged that they never consider the E.U. to be a Christian Club. Noting that Turkey fulfilled the Copenhagen Criteria, Merkel defended that the problem stems from the E.U. The CDU Leader said: "There is already a cooperation agreement between E.U. and Turkey. But we think that more intensive relations should be realized."

Merkel defended that this cooperation should be focused on education, culture and defense rather than on membership.

Indicating there is support for Turkey’s membership in the coalition government party in Germany, the Prime Minister said that it is depressing that the German opposition and government do not display a shared political stability. Stating that Turkey would not be a burden for E.U., he said, on the contrary, it would lighten the burden of the E.U. The Prime Minister said, "If this membership is realized, the E.U. will be more powerful." Erdogan also said that Turkey’s membership should not be utilized as election material.