Turkish Ambassador: Romania is running very fast towards the EU
Ahmet Rifat Okcun told Bucharest Daily News in an exclusive interview that, after joining the European Union, Romania will be a safe country for foreign investments, but warned that the higher costs of land, labor and higher energy might drag some foreign investors away from the country.
The Turkish ambassador said he is confident Romania will join the EU in 2007, saying that the changes in Romania have been tremendous. He appreciates the hospitality of the people, the approach of the authorities to minority issues and the recent improvement in the business environment.
Turning to Romania's shortcomings, Okcun said the traffic is "killing him" and that the country is failing to make use of its tourism potential.
Speaking about Turkey's EU bid, Okcun also looks back at the history of the country to show that Turkey is a European country, pointing out that even the Ottoman Empire was considered European, as it was known as "the sick man of Europe" in the last century. So modern Turkey, which is now healthy, should certainly be accepted as European, the Ambassador says.
