STA – Slovenska Tiskovna Agencija, Slovenia
May 5 2008

Rupel: Full-Fledged Membership Only Alternative for Turkey

Ankara, 5 May (STA) – Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel summed
up his talks in Ankara on Tuesday by saying that Slovenia thought
full-fledged EU membership was the only alternative for Turkey, while
it should obey the same rules as other candidate countries.

"The track Turkey is on leads to membership and Slovenia supports
that," Rupel said in a statement for STA following talks in Ankara,
expressing his opposition to what he labelled as "short-cuts".

Turkey’s talks with the EU and reforms required for EU membership
topped the agenda as Rupel held separate meetings with President
Abdullah Guel, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Speaker of
Turkish Parliament Toptan Koeksal.

Rupel was confident about the progress of reforms despite problems. He
said Erdogan briefed him on the items on the parliamentary agenda by
the summer, including changes to the controversial penal code article
301, which the EU has criticised for restricting the freedom of
speech.

Other important bills that Rupel says the Turkish parliament is
expected to pass as early as Friday are those dealing with employment
and commercial code.

The talks also touched on the legal action against the ruling Turkish
AKP party, which is accused of being unconstitutional. According to
Rupel, the Turkish officials were reserved in their comments, while
Erdogan, the party’s leader was critical of certain aspects of the
trial.

Turkey will open two new chapters in accession talks with the EU
before the end of Slovenia’s term as EU president. "There may be more,
but two are settled on," Rupel, the presiding EU foreign minister,
said.

Since launching the talks in 2005, Turkey has opened six out of the
customary 35 negotiating chapters, while negotiations on eight
chapters have been suspended since the end of 2006 because of Turkey’s
failure to open its ports to Cypriot ships.

Rupel said that senior Turkish officials today expressed their wish
for the EU to show more understanding for the Turkish-controlled part
of the divided island. Cyprus was expected to be in focus as Rupel
meets Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan over working dinner.

The Slovenian foreign minister also sought support for the Slovenian
project of the European-Mediterranean University and he said several
Turkish universities had expressed their interest.

Turkey meanwhile requested Slovenia’s support for a historical
commission in charge of examining the genocide which Turkey allegedly
committed against the Armenians at the end of World War I. "We will
provide this support," Rupel said.

Rupel also discussed with the Turkish officials bilateral relations,
which he said were very good. Business cooperation is on the increase,
while there is still room for growth, Rupel said.

He expressed wish for better transport links between the two countries
and presented the advantages of the Slovenian port of Koper for
Turkish companies. He also discussed investment possibilities and
options for visa facilitation.

The minister will continue his visit in Ankara on Tuesday by taking
part in an EU-Turkey ministerial on behalf of the EU together with
European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. Turkey will be
represented by Foreign Minister Abdulah Gul.