EU term president visits Ankara for Turkey's EU bid
by Merve Aydoğan
ANKARASep 19, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Merve Aydoğan
Sep 19, 2015 12:00 am
Jean Asselborn, the minister of foreign affairs of Luxemburg, who currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), paid an official visit to Ankara and met with Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu on Friday to discuss the EU accession process and refugee crisis.
The two foreign ministers held a joint press conference in which Asselborn expressed gratitude to Turkey for taking in refugees. He said that the humanitarian aid that is being provided is insufficient and that the international community must find a solution to end the conflict in Syria.
Asselborn and Sinirlioğlu discussed Turkey's ongoing EU accession process, and Sinirlioğlu indicated that the rapidly increasing illegal migration to the EU topped their discussion. During the press briefing, Sinirlioğlu said that the refugee crisis is a matter for everyone and that the priority must be ending the crisis in Syria. Underlining that the world is facing the greatest migration and refugee crisis in history, Sinirlioğlu said that this topic is the leading issue for the entire international community. He added that the EU has offered to cooperate with Turkey to overcome the crisis. Sinirlioğlu said: "Though we are pleased by the EU's offer, Turkey believes that the priority is to end the crisis in Syria. This issue cannot end without ending the civil war and crisis in Syria."
Sinirlioğlu also indicated that the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria was discussed, as he emphasized that such a zone would allow Syrian refugees to return to their country safely.
Asselborn said that the EU must provide financial aid to Turkey to help take care of the refugees in the country. He also indicated that a financial aid package is being prepared and will be finalized this week.
Responding to questions, Asselborn also commented on the recently increasing terror attacks by the outlawed PKK and urged the government to restart the reconciliation process. Sinirlioğlu added that Turkey's fight against the PKK should not be seen as an issue related to the Kurds – it is Turkey responding to attacks by the terrorist organization. He ended his statements by adding that no friend of Turkey can judge the country's security measures taken to establish public order.
Turkey's EU accession process was also on the agenda of the two ministers. Asselborn said in July that opening Chapter 17 on economic policy as part of Turkey's bid for EU membership was a possibility. Luxembourg is among the EU countries that support Turkey's EU bid, and the country currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union until the end of the year.
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