Europe

Baku – APA. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday Turkey’s foreign policy and diplomacy were in full harmony with European Union (EU) values. The 48th Turkey-EU Association Council meeting took place in Brussels with the participation of Davutoglu, Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis, EU Term President Spain’s Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, APA reports quoting turkishny.com web-page.
Speaking at a press conference following the Association Council meeting, Davutoglu said that he hoped the 50th Turkey-EU Association Council meeting would take place with Turkey as a full member of the union.
I am pleased to say that Turkey’s foreign policy and diplomacy are in full harmony with EU values. With its foreign policy, Turkey contributed to global and regional peace. Turkey’s foreign policy is in harmony with that of the EU and our counterparts in the EU have affirmed such a character of Turkey’s foreign policy, Davutoglu said.
Turkey’s economic performance at a time of global financial crisis has been appreciated by the EU. We have told our friends in the EU that Turkey’s economic achievements would continue in the future. Turkey, in the upcoming term, will continue to be a real value both politically and economically for the EU, Davutoglu said.
Egemen Bagis, in his part, said that Turkey’s determination on the EU continued despite all difficulties and obstacles.
The capital that celebrated Europe Day on Sunday with the greatest joy was Ankara. As a country that recently opened the chapter on environment, we began the day by riding our bikes. Turkey’s EU process resembles riding a bike. As pedals get turned, you move on. We will continue to work with determination, Bagis said.
Bagis said that Turkey wanted to open as many chapters as possible to negotiations during Spain’s EU Term Presidency.
EU Gives Full Support To Constitutional Amendment Package In Turkey, Moratinos
Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Monday the European Union (EU) gave full support to the constitutional amendment package in Turkey.
The 48th Turkey-EU Association Council meeting took place in Brussels with the participation of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis, EU Term President Spain’s Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule.
Speaking at a press conference following the Association Council meeting, Moratinos said that Spain was determined to promote Turkey’s accession negotiations during its term presidency.
However, our efforts in this issue are not sufficient. We need Turkey to continue making reforms and approval of other EU members, Moratinos underlined.
Spain does want to see Turkey as a full member after being a candidate for 50 years. We will work to realize this goal and try to open a chapter or chapters to negotiations during our term presidency, Moratinos said.
The foreign policy interests of Turkey and the EU intersect, Moratinos said.
Praising Turkey’s foreign policy, Moratinos said that Turkey had become a "great player in the international arena".
With its foreign policy seeking results, Turkey successfully handled finding diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program, and other tough files related to the Caucasus and Middle East, Moratinos also said.
Stefan Fule, in his part, said that the EU worked to open chapters on competition policy, public procurement, social policy, employment and food security with Turkey in 2010.
Aside from these chapters, we may also open chapters on energy, education and culture to negotiations, Fule also said.

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