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ANKARA: Meller: Turkey will bring positive added value to EU

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  • ANKARA: Meller: Turkey will bring positive added value to EU

    New Anatolian, Turkey
    April 14 2006

    Meller: Turkey's membership will bring positive added value to EU
    The New Anatolian / Ankara

    After pledging to further develop and strengthen bilateral ties with
    Turkey, visiting Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Meller yesterday
    said, "Turkey's membership will bring a positive, added value to the
    European Union."

    Meller made the remarks at a joint press conference with Turkish
    Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul following a meeting in Ankara where
    they

    Expressing his country's support for the EU enlargement process,
    Meller said, "The members of the bloc expect new political and
    cultural values from possible future members." In accordance with
    this goal, besides Turkey's contributions to the EU, the members
    expect Turkish membership will bring with it a positive, added value
    since the country has an important position in the region.

    "I believe that the criteria applied to Turkey should be the same as
    the EU criteria applied to other candidate states," said the Polish
    foreign minister while at the same time underlining the importance of
    a complete fulfillment of obligations for Turkey to become a member
    of the bloc.

    'Polish stance on Armenia shouldn't affect relations with Turkey'

    Meller stated that Poland's positive stance towards the Armenians
    shouldn't negatively affect relations with Turkey, referring to the
    Polish Parliament's decision taken in favor of the Armenians over the
    controversial "genocide" claims.

    The visiting foreign minister denied the recognition of Armenian
    genocide claims by the Polish Parliament, saying, "The Parliament
    only expressed its view which reflected the atmosphere of that era."

    Meller also stated that Poland used to be composed of different
    nations up until the end of 18th century, adding that many
    Armenian-origin bureaucrats, soldiers and artists still live in
    Poland.

    Gul praises strengthening of ties between Turkey-Poland

    Foreign Minister Gul, for his part, praised the development and
    deepening of bilateral relations especially in the areas of trade,
    economy, the defense industry and culture, citing 600 years of ties
    between Turkey and Poland.

    "The countries are together under NATO's umbrella and I believe that
    Polish support for Turkey's EU membership will continue," Gul said.

    Meller said that Turkey and Poland are friends and allies in NATO,
    adding that his country will never forget Turkey's support during
    Poland's NATO membership process.

    The polish foreign minister also praised the high level of investment
    from Turkish businessmen in his country and called on Turkey to
    cooperate in joint investment projects in third countries.

    Gul: No Turkish mediation in Iranian nuke standoff right now

    Asked whether a Turkish official will be asked to be responsible for
    bringing Iranian and Western officials towards a diplomatic solution
    to Tehran's nuclear activities, Gul stated that such a role isn't on
    Ankara's agenda.

    Gul also called on all concerned states to contribute to efforts to
    finding a diplomatic solution to the issue and to work towards easing
    the standoff.
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