TURKEY’S EU NEGOTIATOR SAYS FRANCE GIVES ASSURANCES NOT TO INTERRUPT ENTRY TALKS

Anadolu Ajansi (Anatolia Agency)
Sept 20 2009
Turkey

Paris, 20 September: Turkish State Minister & Chief Negotiator for
EU talks Egemen Bagis said French executives gave assurances that
ongoing full membership talks between Turkey and the EU would not
be interrupted.

Speaking to Turkish journalists about his talks in Paris, Bagis
said he met with French Secretary of State for European Affairs
Pierre Lelouche, noting that Lelouche expressed stance of France on
continuation of talks and assessment of the situation after conclusion
of negotiations.

Bagis said he conveyed Turkey’s uneasiness to French executive over
the news reports that France has launched initiatives to propose
privileged partnership to Turkey. "French executive gave assurances
that no study started or would start regarding an alternative apart
from full membership," he added.

Bagis said ongoing negotiations with Turkey, customs union, illegal
migration were assessed at the meeting, noting that France closely
follows Democratic Move in Turkey and the process of normalization
of relations with Armenia.

Bagis also met with the representatives of Turkish associations
in France.