Papandreou: It Is Pleasing That Turkish Government And Parliament Have Been Taking Positive Steps On Eu Path

ISTANBUL - Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece said on Monday that it was pleasing that Turkish government and parliament had been taking positive steps on the path leading to the European Union (EU) membership.
Addressing journalists following his meeting with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Papandreou thanked Gul for coming to Istanbul to meet with him.
Stressing that they had held an unofficial meeting, Papandreou said that they discussed many issues.
He said that it was pleasing that Turkish government and parliament had been taking positive steps on the path leading to the European Union (EU) membership.
Recalling that Turkish government and parliament had been taking steps to fulfill Copenhagen criteria, Papandreou said that they would hold talks with Turkey rapidly on the issue of the EU.
Noting that developments in Iraq and the Middle East were also brought onto agenda of the meeting besides the Cyprus question, Papandreou said that both Turkish and Greek sides believed that they should progress.
He added that the both sides had been searching for solutions to their problems.
(UK-AÖ) 14.07.2003