Parliament Speaker Arinç Meets EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn in Ankara

Turkish Parliament Speaker Bülent Arinç received European Commission Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Ankara on Thursday, holding a joint press briefing before a closed-door session.

Arinç expressed optimism that Türkiye would achieve full European Union membership, while acknowledging that certain actions during the accession process had caused frustration. He noted that Türkiye had completed screening on numerous negotiating chapters in the year since talks formally opened, and credited parliament with substantial legislative reforms over the preceding four years.

Rehn said his visit marked the first anniversary of the start of accession negotiations on 3 October and emphasized the need to keep the process on track. "We have to avoid a train accident," he said, stressing the importance of continued dialogue. He praised the work the Turkish parliament had done on reforms and expressed confidence that progress would continue.

The two officials met privately after the briefing, with the press excluded from their discussions.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.