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TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER INTENSIFIES TELEPHONE DIPLOMACY BEFORE SUMMIT
By Suleyman Kurt, Ankara
Zaman, Turkey
Dec 7 2006
Ankara's diplomatic efforts continue as the EU leaders summit
approaches. The summit is critical for Turkey as the EU leaders are
going to make a decision about the future of Turkey's accession talks.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had telephone conversations yesterday
evening with German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier,
Finnish Foreign mMnister Erkki Tuomioja and Czech Foreign Minister
Cyril Svoboda.
Gul told them that the European Union should, "think big and act
strategically," in making a decision on Turkey.
Gul's telephone diplomacy attracts attention particularly after the
"deadline recommendation" made by French President Jacques Chirac
and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Conspicuously, Abdullah Gul contacted his German counterpart whereas
he did not call his French counterpart.
Additionally, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared his
opinions only with the German leader.
Although this issue is associated with Ankara's policy of "maintaining
relations at a low level" in the aftermath of the Armenian genocide
bill's passage in the French National Assembly, spokesman for
the foreign ministry Namik Tan said: "Of course our meetings will
continue. The EU issue is another matter."
By Suleyman Kurt, Ankara
Zaman, Turkey
Dec 7 2006
Ankara's diplomatic efforts continue as the EU leaders summit
approaches. The summit is critical for Turkey as the EU leaders are
going to make a decision about the future of Turkey's accession talks.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had telephone conversations yesterday
evening with German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier,
Finnish Foreign mMnister Erkki Tuomioja and Czech Foreign Minister
Cyril Svoboda.
Gul told them that the European Union should, "think big and act
strategically," in making a decision on Turkey.
Gul's telephone diplomacy attracts attention particularly after the
"deadline recommendation" made by French President Jacques Chirac
and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Conspicuously, Abdullah Gul contacted his German counterpart whereas
he did not call his French counterpart.
Additionally, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared his
opinions only with the German leader.
Although this issue is associated with Ankara's policy of "maintaining
relations at a low level" in the aftermath of the Armenian genocide
bill's passage in the French National Assembly, spokesman for
the foreign ministry Namik Tan said: "Of course our meetings will
continue. The EU issue is another matter."