Gul characterized Merkel and Sarkozy's statements unacceptableMay 18, 2009 - 19:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Some European countries' efforts towards preventing Turkey's accession to EU are unacceptable, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said. Mr. Gul finds that there has been a unanimous decision by the Europeans to start negotiations with Turkey on its accession to European Union. According to the Turkish President, any discussion over the issue is tantamount to violating the decisions taken by the EU and would mean that the decision to start negotiations with Turkey were not sincere. "It would be unacceptable," Gul said, commenting upon German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy's recent statements against Ankara's accession to EU.Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu have also criticized Merkel and Sarkozy, calling on the EU member states not to make Ankara's claim for EU membership a "domestic issue". Gul also said Sunday that Turkey has played an important role in Europe ever since World War II. "Turkey is a country that has made big sacrifices to protect a free Europe during Cold War." 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 | Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. Byblos Bank Armenia celebrates Students' Day with scholarship recipients YSU students who received scholarships from Byblos Bank Armenia gathered in a casual setting to meet with the Bank's CEO, Hayk Stepanyan. Azerbaijan extends Rune Vardanyan’s arrest by 5 months A court in Azerbaijan has extended the arrest of former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan by five months. Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |