GUL HOPES SEVERAL CHAPTERS ARE TO BE OPENED TO NEGOTIATION WITH EU THIS YEAR
The New Anatolian, Turkey
April 5 2007
Turkish Foreign Minister said yesterday in Germany that negotiations
between Turkey and the EU started to be launched under a second chapter
heading, indicating that he hope several other chapters will be opened
within this year."
Gul met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in
Berlin, for the former pushing for the opening of new "chapters"
or policy areas in Turkey’s membership talks with the EU under the
German presidency.
Speaking at a joint news conference following his tete-a-tete meeting
with Steinmeier, Gul said, "Turkey always appreciated support of
Germany, one of Europe’s engine countries, when Turkey-EU relations
are in question."
Emphasizing that relations between Turkey and Germany were rooted and
multilateral, Gul pointed to the political, security, economic and
cultural dimensions of the relations. Gul said foreign trade volume
between the two parties reached 20 billion Euro.
Gul said Turkey and Germany have similar views on regional and
international matters as well as many other topics, and stated that
both countries favored resolution of the problems through peaceful
and diplomatic ways.
Responding to a question asking about the role Turkey assumed in
release of 15 British soldiers kept in Iran, Gul said, "as you
know Turkey is a neighbor of Iran. We attach importance to this
neighborhood relationship. Britain is also an ally country. We are
closely interested in the matter in this respect. Recent developments
are positive. This is what I can say at the time being."
Asked about Upper Karabakh problem, Gul said, "We have said Turkey
may cooperate for the solution of the problem."
On the other hand Steinmeier recalled that another chapter heading
was opened in Turkish-EU relations, "We have made a rationalistic
decision in Turkish-EU relations. Negotiations continue although
Ankara protocol was not implemented."
Steinmeier said not only enlargement process was discussed within
the scope of Turkey-EU relations, but at the same time international
matters were in question, and thanked to Turkey’s efforts for the
release of British soldiers in Iran.
"Germany and Turkey support solution of the crisis through diplomatic
ways," he added.
Expressing pleasure over making cooperation with Turkey on Lebanon
and the Middle East issues, Steinmeier said hopes increased that the
Middle East process would be enlivened following the decision made
by Arab League.
"There are approximately 2 million Turks living in Germany, and 65
thousand Turkish enterprises. That is why Turkey is the guest country
of the Hannover Industrial Fair, which is considered the biggest
industry fair in the world," said Steinmeier in the press conference.
Steinmeier said they would like to develop not only political and
economic relations but also cultural relations between Turkey and
Germany, stating that this is why Turkey will also be the guest
country of the Frankfurt Book Fair next year.
Upon a question on why Turkey was not invited to EU’s celebrations
for 50th anniversary of its foundation, German FM said this was not
a decision taken against one candidate country. He continued saying,
candidate countries were not invited because this was the celebration
of the 50 year long past of EU member countries.
The German minister stressed the importance of Central Asian countries,
saying these countries are close to regions of crisis, and stability
should be established in these countries so that the crises (around
them) would not affect them.
Prior to his contacts with Steinmeier, Turkish FM Gul had interviews
with journalists from Financial Times Deutschland and Suddeutsche
Zeitung newspapers.
Gul attended to a dinner in his honor following the joint press
conference.