BABACAN OUTLINES TURKEY’S EU PATH

The New Anatolian
April 21 2008
Turkey

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Monday the country’s
EU membership is a win-win procedure for Turkey and EU.

Babacan spoke to guests at opening of Turkish-Austrian Neighborhood
Workshop in Ankara.

Babacan said Turkey implemented remarkable political reforms and
made important steps in its EU bid, and will continue to do so. He
thanked Austria for its support to Turkey’s EU membership. "Both
Turkey and Austria pursued a stable foreign policy in a geography
full of challenges and opportunities," Babacan added.

Regarding the partnership agreement that was expected to be signed by
EU and Bosnia-Herzegovina Babacan said, "Turkey has been carefully
monitoring developments in Bosnia- Herzegovina and the parnetship
agreement is of great importance for Turkey."

"Preserving peace and stability in Balkans is a priority for Turkey,"
Babacan continued adding that "Turkey highly value Kosovo and there
were close ties between the two countries."

Turkish FM called for eliminating fragmentation among Palestinians
for the sake of peace process, saying, "The Palestine issue was the
main problem in the Middle East"

On relations with Armenia, Babacan said "Turkey is eager to normalize
its relations with Armenia. It keeps open dialogue channels with the
new Armenian government."