Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Friday that Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process was important not only for Turkey, but also for many other countries.

- 10 / 05 / 2008 08:01

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Friday that Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process was important not only for Turkey, but also for many other countries.

Babacan hosted a breakfast at Ankara's Swissotel in honor of the ambassadors of EU-member and candidate countries on the occasion of May 9th Europe Day.

Speaking at the breakfast, Babacan referred to proposal of Robert Schuman 58 years ago suggesting integration of Europe with the conviction that, "a united Europe is indispensable for peace."

Babacan said Turkey considered EU a whole of common values, listing them as, "democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, human rights, rule of law, pluralism, tolerance, and considering differences richness."

"Conditions of the 21st century requires EU to assume a broader vision. Importance of enlargement should not be regarded too little to undervalue. Each new member has made important contributions to the cultural diversity and vision of the EU," he added.

FM Babacan said Turkey has been going through an important transformation process, noting that negotiation framework paper, adopted in October 2005, defined Turkey-EU relations and determined the parameters.

"Full membership lies in the heart of those important parameters. Turkey's target is full membership. Any other target is out of question. Negotiations should be carried out in line with this target. Political hindrances should not be forth, there should be an encouraging approach," Babacan said.

Babacan said all the world appreciated the reforms carried out by Turkey in the past 5 years, noting that, "Turkey will be different in the next 10 years. There are many other reforms that should be fulfilled. Turkish people has full support to reforms."

"It is under the initiative of Turkey when and how to make the reforms particularly at a time when our membership date is not definite. Turkey may display a different stance and adopt a common approach with the EU on the timetable whenever our membership date becomes more tangible," Babacan said.

Babacan said regional and global impacts of Turkey's membership process to the EU could not be disregarded, "Turkey's EU process will ensure the EU to have a more secure and stable neighboring region in the long term," he added.

Babacan said Turkey would at the same time add dynamism to the EU, boost its competitive power, enliven its economy and provide new openings on energy.

"This is a 'strategic project'", Babacan said, adding that this process should be cleared from daily concerns and local political interests.

Babacan also urged EU to abide by its current commitments.