BRUSSELS - EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn stated that a possible train crash in Turkey-EU negotiations has been avoided.
In an article published in Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat, Rehn indicated that EU`s door was open to southeastern European countries, including Turkey.
Stressing that decisions taken at the EU summit held on Dec.14-15, have been erroneously interpreted as "EU has closed its doors to enlargement", Rehn indicated that these comments were not realistic and EU`s door still stay open.
He noted it was sincerely assured that any country in the region, meeting the criteria, could ultimately join EU.
Commenting on Finland`s presidency in his article, Rehn said, EU Foreign Ministers, led by Finnish FM Erkki Tuomioja, have taken a decision on how to carry forward the negotiations with Turkey and a train crash has been avoided sofar.