Turkey expressed sound determination to maintain its EU negotiation processMay 12, 2009 - 21:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed Turkey's sound determination to maintain its EU negotiation process.Holding a joint news conference together with President Anibal Cavaco Silva of Portugal, who is currently paying a state visit to Turkey, President Gul said," our allied countries support each other in the international area. Portugal is one of the countries extending full support to Turkey's EU membership process." "Besides the bilateral relations, the EU-related issues and recent international developments were high on agenda of our meeting with President Silva," he said. President Gul said that Turkey was determined to further improve its economic and commercial relations with Portugal. "Portugal has great relations with Latin American and African countries while Turkey is an influenced country in the Middle East, Caucasus and Asia. We can cooperate especially in the third countries," he added. Replying to a question about recent statements of Germany and France about privileged partnership for Turkey instead of full membership, President Gul said, "The EU unanimously decided to open membership negotiations with Turkey. It is a binding decision for all member countries and everyone is aware of this fact. We are determined to maintain the negotiation process," Today's Zaman reported. The leaders of Germany and France, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy denounced the idea of expanding the European Union indefinitely to include new members such as Turkey. "A Europe without borders would be a Europe without identity," the French President emphasized. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ruling MP accuses opposition of “serving other countries' interests” Khachatur Sukiasyan has accused Armenia’s opposition of serving the interests of other countries Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. Heads of Armenian, Ukrainian parliaments hold virtual talks Alen Simonyan and Ruslan Stefanchuk held talks via video conference on Tuesday, May 21. Pashinyan travels to Iran to pay tribute to Raisi, others Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for the Islamic Republic of Iran on a working visit. |