Date of release : 28-02-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

On 28 February 2005, Nicolas Schmit, the Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, paid a working visit to Ankara to meet the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gül.

The talks focused mainly on the progress made by Turkey in its rapprochement with the EU after the European Council of 17 and 18 December 2004 and the process leading towards opening negotiations for accession under British Presidency in October 2005.

The two Ministers also touched on the problem of the division of Cyprus. The Turkish army occupies the northern part of Cyprus, which is a separate entity from the Republic of Cyprus and is not recognised by the international community.

The EU is currently discussing two projects in support of the economic and social development of the isolated northern part of the island, which is legally part of the territory of the Union.

Within the framework of the talks on relations between Turkey and the EU, the Minister Delegate declared that the decision of the European Council of December 2004 marked "an historic moment, strong and positive for the relationship between Turkey and the EU" and "it created obligations for the two parties, which they have to implement in good faith and in accordance with the schedule."

In this regard, the Minister Delegate informed his Turkish counterpart that "screening cannot be used as a pretext to slow down the start of negotiations. The Luxembourg Presidency is ready to prepare negotiations for accession and to begin screening Turkish legislation as rapidly as possible."

Regarding the framework for negotiation, the Minister Delegate affirmed that it is up to the European Commission to decide the publication date while emphasising that "this is a technical document; what really counts are the negotiations."

As regards Cyprus, the Minister Delegate emphasised that this is a "with obvious European dimensions. Cyprus is a Member State of the European Union, while Turkey aspires to become one. This problem must be resolved within a European spirit and framework."

The talks were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere. During the press conference after the talks, Nicolas Schmit declared: "We came to talk to friends. We spoke openly with one another. Any misunderstandings have been defused."