Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the "privileged partnership" proposed to Turkey by German chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicholas Sarkozy in stead of full EU membership, had no place in EU treaties.

In an exclusive interview with German weekly newspaper "Die Zeit", published on the eve of Merkel,'s upcoming visit to Turkey, Erdogan said he would not allow Merkel to bring up the "privileged partnership" issue once again, adding that she already knew well Turkey's position.

Erdogan said Turkey carried out negotiations with the EU for full membership, adding that they would not accept any other option.

"You can not, all off a sudden, change the penalty rules during a soccer game. We are playing the game according to EU's rules and we are making progress on our path," said Erdogan.

Erdogan denied accusations that the reform process in Turkey slowed down, adding that they established a special ministry for EU works, and a special EU office in all the ministries.

Erdogan said a new constitutional reform bill would be submitted to the parliament next week which would change the structure of the Supreme Court, and pave the way for trial of military officers in civil courts.

Commenting on the Armenian resolutions adopted in the U.S. and Sweden on the incidents of 1915, Erdogan said parliaments of third countries took an interest in an issue that did not concern them in anyway.

"Third countries should not adopt such resolutions. This is nothing but the propaganda of the Armenian diaspora, and the parliaments are allowing these subjective views to be expressed," said Erdogan.

In response to a question as to why Turkey did not open its border with Armenia, Erdogan said the border was closed as a reaction to Armenian invasion of Upper Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, noting that Turkey was ready to open the border once Armenia withdrew from this region.


AA