Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister headed the European delegation to the 52nd EU-Turkey Association Council, which convened today in Luxembourg.
During the Council, which was attended by Enlargement Commissioner Füle and Turkish European Affairs Minister Çavuşoğlu, Mr. Venizelos raised, among other things, the issues of full respect for the rights of minorities in the framework of International and European law, and the need to respect international law, and particularly the International Law of the Sea, in bilateral relations.
Mr. Venizelos underscored the importance Turkey’s contribution would have in the direction of a comprehensive, just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, in light of the recent reopening of the talks.
Also raised at the Council was the issue of illegal immigration, and Mr. Venizelos noted the importance of the recent signing of the EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement, asking for its speedy ratification and implementation by the Turkish side.
With regard to EU-Turkey relations, Mr. Venizelos stressed Turkey’s obligation to implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement fully and without discrimination, for progress in its relations with all the member states, as well as its obligation with regard to respect for good neighbourly relations. He underscored that full respect by the Turkish side for the Copenhagen political criteria and the community acquis can impart momentum to and bring specific results from the accession negotiations with the EU.
Mr. Venizelos then referred to Europe’s expectation that, following the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey, Ankara will return to the reform path with fresh resolve.
The Council also looked at issues of mutual interest, including the developments in Syria, Iraq and the wider Arab world, as well as the situation in Ukraine.
June 23, 2014