Turkish FM says EU should consider Turkey's EU bid with new vision

ANKARA (A.A) - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday that the EU countries and especially France should consider Turkey's EU bid with a new vision. Davutoglu and France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe held a press conference in Ankara. Economic crisis in the recent period showed once again importance of contributions that Turkey could make to the EU, he said. Davutoglu said France was one of founding countries of the EU and strategic assessment to be made by France would bring a momentum to EU-Turkish relations. "We hope that France would make such an assessment and it would make a great contribution to Turkey-EU relations," he said. Davutoglu said his meetings with Juppe focused on French-Turkish relations, future of Europe, Turkey's EU bid, regional and international matters. Turkish FM said that he informed Juppe on Turkey's concerns and views in fight against terrorism, stating that the two countries confirmed once again that they would work together against terrorism. There were sound economic relations between Turkey and France and trade volume was 13 billion euros, he said and added they aimed to reach 15 billion euros of trade volume. Turkey's EU goal was strategic and Turkey was eager to become a full member of the Union, he said. Davutoglu said Turkey also expected concrete developments regarding visa procedure and there were commitments made by the EU. French Foreign Minister Juppe said Turkey had a great importance in its region and also in the globe. In 2015 Turkey was set to take over the rotating presidency of the Group of Twenty and this would confirm Turkey's importance in the international platform, he said. There were sound relations between Turkey and France, he said. Juppe said many French companies invested in Turkey and they expected more Turkish companies to invest in France. France supported Turkey in its fight against terrorism, he said. Juppe said France would do its best in combating PKK terror, stating that nearly 100 suspects were arrested in France since 2010. Juppe said France was not against Turkey's membership, but a solution was needed in regard to Cyprus issue. Juppe said that they worked together with Turkey in several issues such as Afghanistan, stating that Turkey and France considered that the current situation in Syria could not be accepted. Meanwhile, Turkish President Abdullah Gul received Juppe and an accompanying delegation in Cankaya Presidential Palace.