AMERICAN TURKISH COUNCIL AND TURKISH AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL CONFERENCE

Joost Lagendijk: Turkey has right to tell EU "Keep your promise"

On the 25th anniversary of American Turkish Council and Turkish American Business Council's Conferance, Turkey-EU Parliamentray Commission Co-Chairman Joost Lagendijk told the audience "EU made grave mistakes in the Cyprus issue. That's why its hard to find grounds. Turkey has the right to tell EU "Keep your promise". Lagendijk defended that Turkey should open her ports to South Cyprus. Underlining the importance of the minorities issues, Lagendijk further noted that, "If Turkey accepts the different and mnages to live with it, then it will become a true European".

Mr. Bagis who participated the same panel commented, "Of course there will be rough times, but we are determined in the path of EU. We can not accept anything other than full membership." Bagis further noted that the US, by supporting Turkey in its accession to Europe, and EU by accepting Turkey's accession, has given a very important message to the Muslims in the world.

Excerpts: 29/03/2006, Zaman & Türkiye