Germany "In Favour of Moving Forward Turkey's EU Membership"

Fischer urges Turkey to speed up reforms for EU

24 November 2003

Visiting German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer called on Turkey to speed up
democracy reforms but pledged support for its bid to join the EU and in the fight
against terror.

"Reforms should be accelerated," Fischer told NTV television after his arrival here
for a brief four-hour trip during which he is due to hold talks with Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul and German diplomatic staff.

But he said he was "in favour of moving forward" regarding Turkey's EU membership,
with EU leaders set to assess progress by the mainly Muslim country in December next
year.

He also said the two countries were cooperating closely in the war on terrorism
following the deadly wave of bombings in Istanbul last week that claimed the lives of
at least 53 people and injured hundreds more.

Some observers have suggested that Turkey was targeted because it is a pro-Western
Muslim democracy and NATO member closely allied to the United States and Israel.

In an interview with CNN Turk television, Fischer said Turkey's progress towards EU
membership would set an example for other Muslim nations on the virtues of democracy
and economic development.

"Fighting against terrorism with police and soldiers is one side of the coin... But it
is very important to give the people in the region a message of hope on democracy, the
rule of law and economic development," Fischer was quoted as saying by an interpreter.

Turkey has yet to win a date to start accession talks and EU leaders set to assess its
progress in December next year.

"Turkey's successul progress towards EU membership will be a success not only for
Turkey and Europe, but will also make a great contribution to security in the 21th
century," he said.

The German minister said terrorism was a common threat for all nations which have
embraced the values of democracy and the rule of law.

"They are attacking these values and that is why we should be united," he was quoted
as saying.

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