Turkey's number one priority is EU membership

Speaking at a meeting held by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign affairs in association with the World Bank, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that Turkey's number one priority remains to be "becoming a member of the European Union". Gul said that he believes Turkey's relation with the World Bank would continue to be beneficial during the process of Turkey's accession process to the EU. "Following the acceptance of accession talks on December 17, a new era has begun, Turkey's membership to the EU is the top priority of the government." Gul also went on to say that the Turkish government had displayed "exemplary determination" and will to fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria. Many comprehensive reforms have been put in place in Turkey to achieve this end. These reforms have been described by those who appreciate them as a "silent revolution". Speaking on the subject of whether the EU membership had had any positive effects on the economy, Gul said, "Direct foreign investments have begun increasing considerably. Direct foreign investments rose 50 percent to 2,5 billion U.S. dollars in 2004. We are also planning to decrease the inflation rate to 4 percent at the end of 2007." Â