BRYANT: "WE ARE READY TO ASSIST TURKEY"

Meeting UK Minister for Europe and Deputy Foreign Minister Chris Bryant for working dinner at Feriye Restaurant in Istanbul, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that they discussed bilateral relations and chapters which were considered to be opened during Turkey's EU membership process.

Bagis indicated that they decided to form a Working Group on Environment Chapter, which was opened during Swedish presidency at the end of December with the support of England, in order to monitor work on the said chapter and stated that they would try to learn from experience of England in the steps which were necessary to be taken.

Noting that Cyprus issue was also discussed in the meeting, Bagis said, "We stressed the importance of continuation of support England provided for a long time for a lasting and comprehensive solution in Cyprus. They told us that they attached importance to Turkey's determination on this issue."

Pointing out that there were closing criteria and steps to be taken in order for environment chapter to be closed, Bagis said:

"I believe that this working group will be very important for us to benefit from the experiences of England which is an experienced country in this area, to learn the steps which were taken by England in this process and to learn which steps we should take to ensure that we have cleaner air to breathe, cleaner water to swim in, we have food which has reached a sensitive point in the context of environment and reduced risk of cancer in our children."

In his statement Chris Bryant noted that England sincerely supported Turkey's EU membership and said "We are ready to assist Turkey at every step of the process."

Source: AA