Turkey drafts EU reform plan despite slowdown in EU accession talks |
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Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:16
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ANKARA (AFX) - Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul chaired a meeting today of some 100 of Turkey's most senior government officials to draft a roadmap of reforms until 2013 to bring the country in line with European Union norms.Gul said Ankara was determined to pursue its full membership goal, despite an EU decision in December to partially freeze accession talks with Turkey in response to its refusal to grant trade privileges to Cyprus.'The EU decision has not shaken in the least our determination for reform,' Gul said. 'Accession processes always have ups and downs. What is important is to stick to the path of reform in the time of downs.''The climate is negative at present, but we know that this is only a temporary period.'A senior diplomat said the officials would draft a timetable of reforms to be implemented in a variety of policy areas until 2013.The plan is expected to be completed and revealed in late January or early February, he said.Gul played down widespread concerns here that EU-required reforms would lose their place at the top of the government's agenda this year because of presidential and parliamentary elections.'2007 is an election year, but we will definitely not make it a lost year for Turkey,' he said.At a summit in December, EU leaders suspended Turkey's membership talks in eight of the 35 policy areas that candidates must complete, following Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot use under a customs union accord with the bloc.They also decided that Turkey can open talks in chapters other than those suspended, but cannot formally complete them as long as the dispute over Cyprus remains unresolved.newsdesk@afxnews.comafp/cmrCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2006. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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EU’s ‘MAYBE’ makes Turkey promise reforms 