STRASBOURG - Turkish State Minister & Chief Negotiator for the EU Ali Babacan has arrived today in Strasbourg, France, to hold a series of talks at the European Parliament (EP).
Turkey`s full membership negotiations with the EU will top the agenda of Babacan`s meetings during his two-day stay in Strasbourg.
Babacan started his contacts by meeting chairpersons of political groups and committees at the EP.
He is scheduled to meet Greens Group Co-Chairman Daniel Cohn-Bendit, EP Vice President for Enlargement Miguel Angel Martinez and Socialist Group Chairman Martin Schulz later in the day.
He is also expected to hold a news conference.
Babacan will meet Graham Watson, chairman of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, and hold talks with MEPs of Turkish origin and MEPs close to Turkey, over dinner.
On Thursday, Babacan will come together with Turkish parliamentary delegation in Strasbourg at breakfast. He is also scheduled to meet Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Joost Lagendijk.
After paying a visit of courtesy to EP President Hans-Gert Poettering, Babacan will meet Joseph Daul, chairman of the Group of the European People`s Party and European Democrats, which has the largest group at the EP.