TurkishPress.com
Dec 18 2009
EU Is A Strategic Target For Turkey, Davutoglu
Published: 12/18/2009
ANKARA – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday that
European Union (EU) was a strategic target for Turkey, and qualified
the obstacles in front of this target as subjective.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Estonian Foreign Minister
Urmas Paet, Davutoglu said, "we assessed the EU and Cyprus. Estonia is
one of the countries seriously supporting Turkey in EU accession
process" and underlined Turkey’s determination on EU full membership.
Davutoglu said Turkey would act quickly from now on regarding the
reforms in its EU process.
He said Turkey and Estonia supported each other in every area in
international matters.
Davutoglu said economic relations were positive, noting that actual
500 million USD trade volume would boost gradually.
Turkish foreign minister underlined importance of air transportation
to improve economic relations and tourism.
Davutoglu said cultural relations between Turkey and Estonia were
positive, and noted that there were Turkish language departments in
two universities in Estonia.
Davutoglu said Istanbul would be Cultural Capital of Europe in 2010
and Estonian capital city would be the Capital of Europe in 2011. "We
decided to maintain cooperation on the matter," he said.
"We discussed opportunities to further increase visa facilities.
Turkey does not implement visa requirement to Estonia," Davutoglu
said.
Davutoglu said he expressed the uneasiness Turkey felt over some
elements reflected in latest EU decisions over Cyprus.
"Turkey’s efforts to find a permanent and comprehensive solution in
Cyprus will continue," Davutoglu said and expressed gratitude over
Estonia’s support on the issue.
When asked if there was any connection between Turkey’s EU membership
target and Cyprus process, "EU membership is Turkey’s right. This is
the right of Turkey when we fulfill our homework and necessary
reforms. It is not a favor of anybody. Similarly, restoring a
permanent and fair peace and being after a solution seeking rights of
Turkish Cypriot people is also a rightful demand," he emphasized.
"If the UN plan had been accepted in 2004, there would not have been
any contradiction today. The plan was not accepted because of the
Greek Cypriot party," he said.
PAET
Estonian Foreign Minister Paet, replying to a question on Turkey’s EU
process, said Turkey was a natural partner of the EU.
Paet said there were several criteria which a country had to meet to
become a full member of the EU, noting that it would be possible for
Turkey to be an EU member when this criteria is fulfilled.
Referring to chapter headings in EU negotiation process, Paet said
more chapter headings should be opened with Turkey. He said chapter
heading on energy was extremely important, noting that opening of the
chapter headings would be in the interest of both parties.
Commenting on the process on Cyprus, Paet said the inhabitants of the
island should have the key, adding that international community should
only contribute within the framework of the UN.
Paet said Turkey supported NATO membership of Estonia and that Turkey
was the first NATO and Mediterranean country supporting Estonia in
protection of their air space.
Paet expressed satisfaction over stance of Turkey in removing visa
requirement to Estonian citizens in 2008, and noted that they took a
similar decision for Turkish citizens having diplomatic and service
passports.
Paet said the other visa requirements were within Schengen and needed
common decision of the Schengen member countries.
Commenting on Turkey’s activities in its region, Paet said he
considered steps taken by Turkey to normalise relations particularly
with Armenia was very important.