Yilmaz's tour of hope

While confirming their support for Turkey concerning the European Union (EU) Italy and Spain drew attention to the fact that decisions at the EU were made by compromise and stated that their efforts alone would not be sufficient in fulfilling Turkey's expectations. The prime ministers of Italy and Spain who met with Yilmaz yesterday stressed German and Greek opposition and stated that the improvement on topics such as human rights, Cyprus and the Turkish - Greek dispute would make things easier for Turkey. In reply Yilmaz said, "What we expect from the EU is that it confirm its previously given promise. It is not possible to put forward conditions at this point. Such conditions can be put on the agenda only during full membership talks." After having breakfast yesterday with İtalian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Yilmaz went on to Madrid where he met Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. While in Madrid Yilmaz also made a telephone call to German Prime Minister Helmut Kohl.
Both Prodi and Aznar stated that there were certain obsticles concerning Turkey's expectations and reminded that certain member states were in opposition to Turkey. Speaking in this context the Italian Prime Minister said, "There are certain problems on both subjects. The Greek obsticle is enough trouble as it is. But Greece is not alone in its stance."