BRITAIN'S SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP WILL CONTINUE

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis met David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary of the UK at Dolmabahce Office of the Prime Ministry.

After the meeting, Bagis made a press statement with Miliband and said that they had discussed Turkey's EU accession negotiations process mostly.

Bagis said: "Britain will continue to support Turkey's EU accession negotiations as it did in the past. We are pleased to receive affirmation in this regard from Mr. Miliband."

Bagis stated that there were certain problems and they exchanged opinions on such problems. During our talks, my planned visit to Athens came up as well, Bagis said.

Stating that he would meet the Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yorgo Papandreu, Bagis said he believed that visit would be a starting point for Turkey-Greece relations in particular with regard to Cyprus issue.

Bagis told that Miliband once again had confirmed that British support in relation to the Chapters planned to be opened in the forthcoming period would continue.

Indicating that Britain's support for the continuation of Turkey's EU accession negotiations continued, British Foreign Secretary Miliband said that they considered Turkey's membership beneficial both for Turkey and the EU.

Source: AA