ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan received on Thursday European Union (EU) Commissioner for external relations Chris Patten.
After the meeting, Patten told reporters that he informed Erdogan concerning his Iran visit and they also took up effects of a possible operation against Iraq on Turkey. He also expressed his pleasure that Erdogan received him in such an important day for Turkish government.
Noting that everybody hoped that the problem would be solved in peaceful ways, Patten said that however, the signs were not very promising.
Patten said that they told Turkish officials that they could give humanitarian aid to Turkey besides other regional countries, adding that they could provide blankets, tents, food or money.
Noting that they would prepare a new Accession Partnership Accord for Turkey and it would be confirmed in April, Patten said that Turkish government gave him a strong commitment that the political criteria would be fulfilled until the end of year.
When asked whether a possible operation against Iraq would affect financial criteria that Turkey had to meet, Patten said that a military clash would naturally have some economic consequences and added that Turkish government should discuss that issue with its partners and international finance circles.