ANKARA (AA) - Italy has indicated after the referendum held in France on the EU Constitution that it would continue supporting Turkey's European Union (EU) membership.
Officials from the Italian Embassy in Ankara told the A.A correspondent on Monday that the result of the referendum should affect neither Turkey's EU process nor the European Council's decision in Brussels on beginning of entry talks between Turkey and the EU on October 3rd, 2005.
Stating that they respected French people's decision, Italian sources expressed their sorrow over rejection of the EU Constitution in referendum as this result could interrupt integration process of Europe.
Sources stated that referendum had nothing to do with EU's enlargement including Turkey, noting that as Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had earlier said, Italy's support to Turkey's EU membership would continue.
The same sources stressed that Italy would maintain its efforts for equal treatment of all candidates and for an objective attitude towards Turkey.
2005-05-30