Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Sept 6 2008

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES EU TIES, CYPRUS, CAUCASUS WITH EU’S REHN

Avignon, 5 September: The Turkish foreign minister met a European
commissioner in Avignon, France on Friday [5 September].

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan had a meeting with European
Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn on the sidelines of a European
Union (EU) foreign ministers’ meeting in Avignon.

Babacan, who is also Turkey’s chief negotiator for the EU, and Rehn
discussed Caucasus crisis, full membership negotiations between Turkey
and the EU, and Cyprus problem.

During the meeting, Rehn appreciated Turkey’s policy in its region and
Babacan briefed Rehn about recent visits of Turkish officials to
Tbilisi and Moscow, and the visits of the officials of those countries
to Turkey.

Rehn welcomed Turkey’s "Caucasus Stability & Cooperation Platform"
proposal.

Also, Rehn expressed the union’s expectations from Turkey about some
chapter headings the EU wanted to open negotiations with
Turkey. Babacan informed Rehn about Turkey’s endeavours and reforms
planned to be made after the parliament re-opened on October 1st.

Rehn said that the European Commission was preparing the annual
progress report for Turkey which would be made public in November,
whereas Babacan said that the report should be encouraging.

On Cyprus, Babacan said that Turkey would maintain its constructive
attitude and support to Cyprus talks to be launched between leaders of
the two communities in the island.

Babacan asked the EU to support President Mehmet Ali Talat of the
[self-declared] Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and have
talks with him.

Also, the European commissioner expressed EU’s pleasure about the
visit Turkish President Abdullah Gul will pay to Yerevan, Armenia on
Saturday.