The current status quo works against the interests of all. The time has come to move forward all together, leaving behind restrictions and confrontation.

The genuine step Turkey expects is direct trade together with financial aid. This unilateral decision by the EU will bring new problems and difficulties.

The goal of my visit was to help ensure the decision of the UN Security Council is applied quickly and completely,

The EU can make a contribution to the economy.

This is a historic decision both for Turkey and for Europe. It (the commission) has made the recommendation it had to make.

The Iraqis should be able to administer themselves, but we say the withdrawal of coalition forces before these things can happen would cause a vacuum, a gap.

I cannot say anything definite about whether negotiations will be opened in a few days. They may or may not be launched,

A partnership between the EU and Turkey would not be established if the EU did not keep its promises, if leaders of the EU member states forgot they had signed several documents or neglected their signatures due to some reasons, and if they brought forward new conditions which could never be accepted by Turkey,

Once Turkey enters in the European Union, all these circles will also see themselves, one way or another, represented within the EU.

The Turkish people are at peace with themselves and with their history,