BRUSSELS - France`s Secretary of State for EU affairs Bruno Le Marie said on Friday that "there was nothing to worry about," regarding EU-Turkey relations in 2009.
Speaking during EU`s 6th Accession Conference, Le Marie said EU expected Turkey to proceed with the reform process, be loyal to neighbourly relations and fulfill its commitments regarding Cyprus.
He said Turkey bore high strategic importance for EU noting that it contributed to EU`s stability by taking up an active role in solution of regional problems and acting in line with EU`s foreign policy for the most part.
Le Marie praised the role played by Turkey in the conflict in Georgia, Iraq, Middle East peace process, and in indirect talks between Israel and Syria. He said Turkey`s President Abdullah Gul`s visit to Armenia had a symbolic significance and expressed their hope that this process would result in complete normalization of relations between the two countries.
Also speaking during the conference EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said EU needed to act fairly towards Turkey and be loyal to its commitments.
Rehn pointed out that it was important for Turkey to carry out the reform process after two tough years and said they expected Turkey to meet the criteria in chapters regarding taxation, social policy and employment, environment and competition which were likely to be opened in the near future.
Rehn said there was a positive atmosphere recently in EU-Turkey relations noting that the conflict in Georgia highlighted Turkey`s strategic importance.
(OZG-MS)
(DIP)