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Lajcak Labels Ministerial Discussion on Turkey's EU Bid as Complicated
Tuesday 08 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Brussels, December 8 (TASR) - The discussion that was held by EU countries' foreign affairs ministers regarding Turkey's bid to join the bloc was complicated, partly due to the fact that some countries pushed for a more strict attitude towards Ankara, Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak said in Brussels on the same day.
The ministers decided that, by the end of 2009, the bloc will open another chapter in Turkey's accession talks with the EU, namely the chapter that concerns the environment. However, another eight chapters remain blocked, as Turkey still hasn't opened up its ports and airports for vessels and aircraft from Cyprus.
According to Lajcak, a more lenient stance of the majority eventually prevailed, as the ministers recognised that Turkey had shown good will in a number of areas.
"The document (adopted by ministers) openly identifies areas where Turkey hasn't attained the required progress, this concerns mainly Turkey's failure to adhere to Ankara Protocol. On the other hand, though, the document encourages Turkey to proceed with positive changes that Turkey has achieved this year, chiefly in its relation to internal policy, normalisation of relations with Armenia, and so on," said Lajcak.
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