, Turkey
Sept 6 2008

FM: France to know Turkey closer its importance in region

Turkish FM said that "We have been holding constant talks in the
recent past with France. As France understands us better, France’s
perspective and thoughts on Turkey will be changed positively."

Saturday, 06 September 2008 14:33

Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks, Ali
Babacan, said Saturday "as EU president France gets to know Turkey
closer and understands the importance of Turkey in the region,
bilateral relations will be positively affected."

Speaking to Turkish reporters in Avignon, France, where he attended an
informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, Babacan said that "Turkish
and French authorities held talks on the Middle East and the Caucasus
recently."

"We have been holding constant talks in the recent past with
France. As France understands us better, France’s perspective and
thoughts on Turkey will be changed positively," Babacan said.

Pointing out that France invited Turkey to the EU-Central Asia meeting
to be held in Paris on September 18th, Babacan said that he would have
a chance to meet with the French foreign minister on that date.

"We expect two more chapters to be opened in Turkey’s negotiations
with the EU in the upcoming term," Babacan said.

Babacan said that, in his meeting with the EU Commissioner in charge
of Enlargement Olli Rehn on Friday, he discussed the crisis in the
Caucasus and Turkey’s full membership negotiations.

"We also discussed visa procedures with Olli Rehn," Babacan said.

Ali Babacan left Avignon and is on his way to Yerevan to accompany
Turkish President Abdullah Gul during tonight’s World Cup qualifying
match between the national soccer teams of Turkey and Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress