TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP PROCESS WILL REVIVE

President Abdullah Gul, met with the members of the Independent Turkey Commission headed by Martti Ahtisaari, the former President of Finland and the holder of the Nobel Peace Prize. The meeting, in which Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis also participated, was held in Cankaya Presidential Residence.

President Gul drew a general vision regarding Turkey-EU relations in the meeting. It was stated that President Gul emphasized Turkey's determination about EU membership and pointed out that the process was to be clear. It was also expressed that Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis, informed the participants regarding the envisaged steps to be taken in the course of membership process.

The Independence Commission on Turkey confirmed their support for Turkey's EU membership process.

It was reported that the Commission members mentioned some recent improvements taken place in the negotiation process as TRT 6 and the decision on the restoration of the citizenship of Nazim Hikmet.

The Commission members emphasised that the importance of Turkey's crucial role in the field of energy and its active policies in Caucasus and in the Middle East was making its EU membership essential.

In this framework, it was reported that President Gul, the Commission members and Bagis reached a consensus on Turkey's EU membership process is to be revived in the forthcoming period.

In order to support EU membership of Turkey, the Commission chaired by Ahtisaari had carried out works to hold a public opinion by the European countries and had held meetings and conferences within this framework. The Commission is expected to revive such works.