Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan said Wednesday that tying the fulfillment of political criteria directly to accession negotiations runs counter to the logic of the process itself. His remarks came during his regular weekly briefing in Ankara.
Tan explained that an EU Council debate on the screening report for the education and culture chapter had prompted several member states to suggest that any letter inviting Türkiye to submit a negotiating position paper should reference political criteria. He said Türkiye had contacted the acting EU presidency and member states to address the proposal, which remains under discussion in the Council's enlargement sub-group.
Tan noted that while EU rules and standards are the proper subject of negotiations, one chapter, covering the judiciary and fundamental rights, does address political criteria directly.
Separately, Tan confirmed that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had undergone successful surgery for an inner-ear injury caused by cabin pressure and an upper respiratory infection sustained during his return flight from Tunis. His condition was described as stable. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier both sent get-well messages.
Because of his recovery, Gul canceled a planned late-March trip to the United States. State Minister Kursad Tuzmen will represent Türkiye at the Turkish American Council meeting on 26 March.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2006, in its own words.