Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Turkey will not attend any event organised by Cyprus during its term at the helm of the EU Council of Ministers, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced on Thursday 7 June following the 3rd meeting of the EU-Turkey ministerial dialogue . His government has been threatening for several months to boycott the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council of Ministers as Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. “No ministry or organisation of the Turkish Republic will take part in any activity that will be presided by Southern Cyprus”, he said, stating that Turkey's position with regard to the Cypriot presidency of the EU is “clear”. He added, however, that “EU-Turkey relations and the political contacts we are currently establishing will continue as they are”.
Turkish Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis stated: “Turkey will determinedly progress in its course towards the EU”. At their meeting, the Turkish ministers, Catherine Ashton and Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle discussed putting a positive agenda in place. Ashton made clear the EU's support for the launch of the positive agenda and said she really hoped “that this will give new momentum to the accession process”. Institutional reform, human rights in the country and visa liberalisation were also on the agenda.
Excellent foreign policy cooperation
Ashton highlighted the EU's “excellent relationship” with Turkey in foreign policy and said it is “vital” to cooperate, “given our shared interest in our common neighbourhood”. “I know how important the strategic relationship is with Turkey and how determined I am that we continue to develop that, so that our contribution to solving some of the issues … is as strong and as good as it possibly can be”, she stated. She said the EU wanted to continue to support Turkey in all its efforts to support refugees, and highlighted Ankara's support in negotiations with Iran on this matter's nuclear programme. (CG/transl.rt)