Angela Merkel is leaving for Turkey amid a crisis of relations of that country with the EU. Ankara considers the German Chancellor as a reliable partner and expect positive signals. European Commission is concerned with insufficient level of freedom of expression in the country. Article 301 of the Criminal Code of the country provides for imprisonment up to 3 years of insulting Turkey and its state institutions. Thus, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn urged Turkey to reforms.

Angela Merkel is expected to touch upon the issue on criticism that aroused in Turkey owing to Pope Benedict XVI's statements on Islam, Reuters reports. Ankara's response doubted its role as a «bridge» between Europe and the Islamic world.

Turkey's stand over the Cyprus also causes EU pretension. Turkey has to open air and sea routes with Cyprus, as stipulated by the EU Treaty on Customs Union. Otherwise talks on EU accession may be suspended. Merkel has an non-compromising position regarding EU demands towards Turkey to recognize Cyprus. As the Chancellor's Department stated October 4, «there will be no indulgence in terms of EU accession for Turkey.»

Angela Merkel is one of those, who do not believe Turkey may become a full EU member. She has a concept of «privileged partnership», i.e. a level of cooperation, which is already achieved. Representatives of the conservative camp of Germany have even harsher demands, demanding ceasing EU talks with Turkey, reports Deutsche Welle.