Brussels, 28/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - On a visit to Turkey on 24-25 November, the president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, stressed that he was “optimistic” that “we can finish negotiations on Cyprus by 1 July 2012”, when the Cypriot Presidency of the EU begins. He explained that it is in the “best interest” of Turkey and the EU to reach a settlement on the Cyprus issue “as soon as possible”. Frosty relations between Turkey and the EU during the Cypriot Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2012 are not an option. “Let us, Turkey and the EU, push together for a final settlement under the auspices of the UN before July!”, Buzek added. He went on to stress that if this issue can be resolved, negotiations on Turkish accession to the European Union may resume. “We must work to unblock chapters where we can, but full implementation of the Ankara protocol would give the accession process a huge boost”, he explained.
Buzek reiterated the support of the European Parliament to Turkey's accession negotiations. (CG/transl.fl)