President Gul: "Turkey's goal is full EU membership"

Speaking at the Ninth Annual North South Europe Economic Forum held by the Izmir Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for European Affairs (INEA), President Abdullah Gul yesterday said that Turkey is working to fulfill the European Union's membership criteria. Gul said that Turkey's goal is to become a full EU member under equal conditions as other members. Stating that Ankara is pursuing an active policy carrying vital importance for both itself and Europe, Gul said, "We're making efforts to achieve peace in the Caucasus and the Balkans. We're also working on a new project involving stability and confidence-building measures in the Middle East." Also speaking at the forum, Bosnian President Haris Slajdzic said that without Turkey, the Balkans and Southeastern Europe will always be incomplete. He added that when Turkey became a member, the EU can be a true union.