EU high representative: Organization welcomes Turkey's increasing role in region

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton expressed EU's satisfaction with the increasing role of Turkey in regional processes in recent years, the European Union reported.

"Turkey's foreign policy has become more positive. We welcome the strengthening of the important role of Turkey in the region, and we look forward to expanding cooperation between us in this context," Ashton said.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule and Ashton will hold political consultations with the Turkish officials in Istanbul July 13 on expansion of cooperation between the EU and Ankara in the region. Turkey in the negotiations will be represented by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and chief mediator of Chief Negotiator for the EU talks Egemen Bagis.

"Political dialogue provides timely confirmation of Turkey's prospects of joining EU and the continuation of [the EU] enlargement process. The reforms ongoing in Turkey are movers of the process and the commission will continue to support the country in this," Fule said.


/Trend/