EU WELCOMES TURKEY’S DEMOCRATIC MOVE AND PROTOCOLS WITH ARMENIA, SAYS SPANISH AMBASSADOR

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Feb 12 2010

European Union welcomes recent steps taken by Turkey, especially
government’s democratic initiative and protocols signed last October
with Armenia to normalize relations, Spanish Ambassador to Turkey
said on Thursday.

Ambassadors of EU member states met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Spanish Ambassador Joan Clos, who took the floor as representative
of EU member state holding the six-month rotating presidency, said
that Turkey had recently made serious reforms.

Clos said both Turkey and EU were in a period of change, adding that
this process would gain momentum after the Treaty of Lisbon entered
into force last December. He said Turkey and EU would take important
advantages during negotiation process thanks to this change.

Clos said both parties were aspirant for Turkey’s accession and
he expressed belief that Turkey and EU would make progress during
Spanish presidency.

He said Spain hopes to open negotiation chapters on food safety,
public procurement, social and cultural relations, and energy during
its presidency until July 2010.

Although Turkey might face some obstacles on its way to EU membership,
Spanish ambassador said, and he went on saying, "all countries that
started negotiations with EU had become members."