Foreign Minister Urmas Paet: Close Relations Are Needed Between European Union and Turkey
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11.11.2011
No. 354-E
During his meeting in Tallinn today with Turkish Minister for
European Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, Foreign Minister
Urmas Paet confirmed Estonia’s support for the continuation of Turkey’s
accession negotiations with the European Union. “Turkey’s ongoing
dedication to carrying out reforms that bring it closer to the European
Union is the best way to move forward in the negotiation process,” Paet
noted. “Necessary reforms and the implementation of approved laws will
provide an opportunity to accede without extra conditions as soon as all
the accession criteria have been fulfilled,” he added.
Turkish Minister for European Affairs Bagis gave an overview of the
most recent developments in implementing Turkey’s reforms towards
European integration. Foreign Minister Paet expressed hope that soon a
new chapter would be opened in negotiations with Turkey. “Turkey is
close to opening the chapter on competition policy, and opening the
energy chapter would be positive as well,” he added. Paet said that the
normalisation of Turkey-Cyprus relations is also a key component in
Turkey’s road to accession.
Foreign Minister Paet feels that the European Union’s co-operation
with Turkey in foreign policy issues is very important. “It is
especially vital in the case of the current events in the Middle East
and Northern Africa,” he added.
In talking about the visa dialogue between the European Union and
Turkey, Paet noted that the European Union should implement visa waivers
for its closest partners, and first in that line should be candidate
countries like Turkey. “Along with a visa waiver agreement, the European
Union and Turkey must also conclude a readmission agreement,” he added.
Estonian citizens may visit Turkey without a visa.
During the meeting Paet expressed condolences for the families of
those who died in the earthquake and aftershocks that took place in
Turkey on 23 October and for all those who were affected by the natural
disaster. “Estonia supported aid for the victims of the earthquake and
work to clean up the aftermath of the disaster through the Turkish Red
Crescent Organisation with 100 000 euros,” said Paet.
Paet also noted at the meeting that Estonia strongly condemns the
terror attacks organised by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in south-east
Turkey. “We believe that comprehensive international co-operation
against terrorism is extremely important,” he noted.
In talking about bilateral relations, Paet noted that political,
economic and cultural ties between Estonia and Turkey are thriving. Paet
also expressed hope that a direct flight between Istanbul and Tallinn
would be opened soon.
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-foreign-ministry
