Criteria For Everyone
Schroder recalled that: All heads of government and state in the EU Helsinki 1999 summit, said that criteria binding other candidates were also applicable for Turkey. In the Copenhagen 2002 summit, we agreed to consider Turkey’s situation in detail at the end of this year. When Turkey fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria, and attained democracy, the rule of law, protection of human rights and minorities in an appropriate way, membership negotiations could start.

Example For Others
He said: We all want a stable, democratic and secular Turkey. This is first of all, in the interests of Turkish people. Turkey that harmonizes democracy, human rights and Islam, may be an example for other Muslem countries. This situation will be a great achievement for the stability and security of Europe.

Trade Partner
He said: Germany is the most important trade partner of Turkey. Turkish entrepreneurs in Germany have provided employment to 300 thousand people. Just these figures are sufficient to show how important Turkey is for Europe.

We Promised To Turks
He said: Turkey was given the chance for future membership in the Partnership Agreement with the European Economic Community EEC in 1963. The Council of Europe and heads of state decided in Luxembourg in 1997 that Turkey can be a member of EU. The Council declared Turkey as a candidate country in Helsinki, in 1999. We cannot disregard this development that Christian Democrat Union CDU and Christian Social Union CSU governments had also contributed. The proposal for special partnership does not correspond to both of these developments and the pledges made to Turkey.

Meanwhile Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Both said that the EU’S criteria for Turkey was the fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria. He said the European Union hoped Turkey to maintain her constructive stance towards Cyprus.

Reactions To Merkel
Meanwhile reactions are pouring to CDU leader Angela Merkel who proposal special partnership to Turkey instead of membership.