BRUSSELS - Turkish Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Sami Guclu said on Monday that European Commission favored a closer cooperation with Turkey in technical level.
Guclu, who is currently in Brussels to exchange views with the European Commission members before the start of Turkey's entry talks with the European Union (EU) and to convey them the developments, met Joe Borg, the European Commissioner for fisheries and maritime affairs, and Mariann Fischer Boel, the Commissioner for agriculture and rural development.
Guclu told a news conference that he briefed about the studies carried out in Turkey after December 17th, recalling that the most intensive negotiation with the EU would be in agriculture.
''We saw that the EU wing is willing to make closer cooperation in technical level. EU experts will join the studies in Turkey,'' Guclu noted.
Stating that he had the opportunity to express Turkey's determination and will to join the EU, Guclu said technical problems could be solved quickly if the political developments become positive.
Guclu said the EU could not be expected to undertake the whole burden which will stem from Turkey's membership, stressing that Turkey would fulfil its responsibilities.
Guclu said Turkey's exclusion from the EU structural funds and funds for agriculture could not be accepted.
Guclu is expected to return to Turkey on Wednesday.