Ries: Turkey Can Get Negotiation Date In Copenhagen

ANKARA - Charles Ries, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for European affairs said on Thursday that Turkey can get a negotiation date in Copenhagen summit.
''We hope to get good news for Turkey about its EU membership next month,'' said Ries speaking to journalists by videoconference at U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
Recalling that the U.S. has supported Turkey in its EU process from the beginning, Ries said that the U.S. considers right the wish of Turkey to start full membership negotiations.
Noting that the U.S. is pleased with the policy of AK Party to continue Turkey's relations with the EU, Ries said that U.S. officials frequently bring onto agenda the Turkey-EU relations in their contacts with European colleagues. Ries said that U.S. officials told in their contacts that an historic decision can be given in Copenhagen by giving a negotiation date to Turkey, adding that it will be meaningful for EU to assess the steps taken by Turkey to fulfill Copenhagen criteria.
Ries said that ''yet if EU is going to give a decision about Turkey, this will be the decision of EU,'' adding that ''Turkey's getting a date in Copenhagen is possible, although it is not certain yet.''
Stating that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's study for a final solution to the Cyprus issue was a ''perfect ground'' to reach a compromise, Ries said that the sides should study carefully Annan's proposal and work with Annan to reach a result.
Ries said that Annan's Cyprus plan was a ''historical opportunity'' for a solution of Cyprus issue before EU enlargement and added that it was the best chance in their hand.
Noting that they supported Turkey and the other countries which were member of NATO, but not the members of EU on European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), Ries said that they considered Turkey-Europe, Turkey-United States and Turkey-NATO relations as cornerstone of peace and stability in the region and world.
Touching on the developments in Northern Iraq, Ries reiterated that the United States was in favor of Iraq's territorial integrity.