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Turkey Expects Denmark to Lead Solution on Visa Issue |
25 May 2012The Turkish foreign minister has said Turkey expects the Danish rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) to play a leading role in the settlement of the visa exemption conflict before it hands over its position this July.
''The upcoming one month is critical. We expect the Danish rotating presidency to play a leading role in overcoming this decades-long problem,'' said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, at a joint press conference with his Danish counterpart Villy Sovndal in Ankara.
The two ministers discussed bilateral relations, Turkey's EU membership process and regional matters during their gathering Friday.
Noting that fight against terrorism was high on agenda of the meeting, Davutoglu said an important aspect of Turkey's ongoing fight with PKK focused on the terrorist organization's connections with media organs.
Recalling a Danish court's decision confirming Roj TV's connection with PKK, Davutoglu said he had voiced during today's meeting Turkey's expectation from Denmark to take concrete steps on the matter such as putting the relevant court ruling into practice and banning the TV station's broadcasts.
Commenting on Turkey's EU membership process, Davutoglu said the union's Danish term presidency could be a milestone in Turkey-EU relations.
''Denmark has always played a leading role in this process, we now expect its support on a symbolically important matter for us, the visa issue,'' he said.
Davutoglu said a certain progress had been achieved on visa exemption, however, Turkey had rightful demands and concerns on the issue.
''We now wait for concrete steps and a strong will for the rapid implementation of visa exemption,'' he said, calling on the EU side to display a ''clear political determination''.
''We hope that Denmark, as EU's term president, takes a couple of persistent steps and carves its name in the history of Turkey-EU relations,'' he added.
Responding to a question on NATO's missile defense shield, Davutoglu said the process had been conducted under the principles of the alliance from the beginning.
''This is a NATO facility and the process has been conducted accordingly. Member countries offer their means in the foundation process of such facilities,'' he said.
Davutoglu said the project had been transferred to NATO once the establishment process was over, adding that the facility belonged to the alliance, but it would be protected by Turkey as it was located on Turkish territory. |
25 May 2012
Anadolu Agency
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