THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REASSURED TURKEY THAT IT IS NEGOTIATING FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

ArmInfo
2009-05-22 13:04:00

ArmInfo. The European Commission as well as the current and upcoming
EU presidencies on Tuesday reassured Turkey that it is negotiating
for full membership of the European Union, despite France and Germany
repeatedly stating their opposition, Euobserver reported.

The European Commission is committed to the EU accession process of
Turkey … on the basis of the negotiating framework that was adopted
by unanimity by all [EU] member states and Turkey in October 2005,"
EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn said after talks in Brussels
with Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Turkish membership "is in the fundamental interest of the EU," Mr
Rehn added, while noting the process would be long and calling on
Ankara to continue implementing needed reforms. The country should
"enhance fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, freedom
of the media as well as women’s rights, trade union rights," he said.

Similar statements were made by Czech foreign minister Jan Kohout
on behalf of the Czech EU presidency, as well as by Swedish foreign
minister Carl Bildt, whose country will take over the EU presidency
after the Czechs, on 1 July.

At press conference, Mr Davutoglu restated Ankara’s position that full
membership is the only acceptable outcome of the negotiations process.