Turkey, EU have mutual commitments - German chancellor
Anatolia news agency
4 May 05
Ankara, 4 May: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday
[4 May] conveyed to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder the uneasiness
Turkey felt over the proposal of German Christian Democrats for
recognition of allegations of so-called Armenian genocide in German
parliament.
Erdogan and Schroeder held a joint press conference after their
tete-a-tete meeting in Turkish capital of Ankara. [Passage omitted]
Erdogan-Schroeder meeting also focused on Turkey's accession process
to the European Union (EU).
"Again pertaining to Cyprus issue, we had the opportunity to assess
the developments after 24 April. We have exchanged views on various
regional and international issues including the Middle East peace
process. I conveyed Mr Schroeder Turkey's satisfaction over the
support it has expended for the decision for start of Turkey's entry
talks." [Passage omitted]
Schroeder said that European Union (EU) assistance to Northern Cyprus
should not be blocked off, stating that attitude of [self-declared]
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) throughout the referendum
process as regards to [UN Secretary-General Kofi] Annan plan was
well known.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chancellor Schroeder
held a joint press conference after their tete-a-tete meeting in
Turkish capital of Ankara.
Schroeder said Turkish Cypriots was the party which was punished
although they voted "yes" for the Annan plan and noted that this
is unfair.
Pointing out that an EU aid worth of 259m euros should be expended
to TRNC, Schroeder recalled that a European Council decision was
needed for this. Schroeder said views of Germany on this issue would
be conveyed to everybody and emphasized that Europeans should invest
in tourism business in TRNC. [Passage omitted]
German Chancellor said there were commitments which the two parties
should fulfil in Turkey's EU process, adding that the EU should start
the talks in time and urged Turkey to continue the reforms.
Schroeder said Turkey's EU process has strategic and historical
importance, and noted that referendums in European countries on the
constitution were not related to this issue.
Underlining that implementation of the reforms in daily life was very
important, Schroeder also said, "reform process should turn into a
social reality."
Schroeder also urged Ankara Agreement Adjustment Protocol be signed
before 3 October. [Passage omitted]
Noting that Turkey was an important country economically and
politically, Schroeder said there were traditional relations between
the two countries. He said necessary efforts were exerted to further
improve these relations.
Asked about Germany's sale of tanks to Turkey, Schroeder said this
issue was under discussion between the defence ministries of the two
countries. [Passage omitted]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Anatolia news agency
4 May 05
Ankara, 4 May: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday
[4 May] conveyed to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder the uneasiness
Turkey felt over the proposal of German Christian Democrats for
recognition of allegations of so-called Armenian genocide in German
parliament.
Erdogan and Schroeder held a joint press conference after their
tete-a-tete meeting in Turkish capital of Ankara. [Passage omitted]
Erdogan-Schroeder meeting also focused on Turkey's accession process
to the European Union (EU).
"Again pertaining to Cyprus issue, we had the opportunity to assess
the developments after 24 April. We have exchanged views on various
regional and international issues including the Middle East peace
process. I conveyed Mr Schroeder Turkey's satisfaction over the
support it has expended for the decision for start of Turkey's entry
talks." [Passage omitted]
Schroeder said that European Union (EU) assistance to Northern Cyprus
should not be blocked off, stating that attitude of [self-declared]
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) throughout the referendum
process as regards to [UN Secretary-General Kofi] Annan plan was
well known.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chancellor Schroeder
held a joint press conference after their tete-a-tete meeting in
Turkish capital of Ankara.
Schroeder said Turkish Cypriots was the party which was punished
although they voted "yes" for the Annan plan and noted that this
is unfair.
Pointing out that an EU aid worth of 259m euros should be expended
to TRNC, Schroeder recalled that a European Council decision was
needed for this. Schroeder said views of Germany on this issue would
be conveyed to everybody and emphasized that Europeans should invest
in tourism business in TRNC. [Passage omitted]
German Chancellor said there were commitments which the two parties
should fulfil in Turkey's EU process, adding that the EU should start
the talks in time and urged Turkey to continue the reforms.
Schroeder said Turkey's EU process has strategic and historical
importance, and noted that referendums in European countries on the
constitution were not related to this issue.
Underlining that implementation of the reforms in daily life was very
important, Schroeder also said, "reform process should turn into a
social reality."
Schroeder also urged Ankara Agreement Adjustment Protocol be signed
before 3 October. [Passage omitted]
Noting that Turkey was an important country economically and
politically, Schroeder said there were traditional relations between
the two countries. He said necessary efforts were exerted to further
improve these relations.
Asked about Germany's sale of tanks to Turkey, Schroeder said this
issue was under discussion between the defence ministries of the two
countries. [Passage omitted]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress