Sunday, 27 November 2005BERLIN - Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan, after losing his greatest European ally Schroeder, receives warm message from new Chancellor Merkel, who says she will likely meet him in Barcelona this weekend.
"Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan can trust me since I am a strong defender of my beliefs, views and statements", said new German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday.
Speaking to German daily Bild, Merkel tried to ease Turkey's concerns over the future of its European Union bid, but she also refrained from expressing anything that may mean a future EU membership for Turkey.
Merkel had insisted on a "privileged partnership" suggestion for Turkey during her election campaign, unlike former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who was a strong supporter of Turkey's full membership in the Union. Turkish leaders declared no alternative can be acceptable but full membership to the EU.
Asked by Bild whether Erdogan could trust her after losing his greatest ally Schroeder, Merkel said, "The Turkish premier knows my views on Turkish-German friendship. If I decide to go, we would likely meet in Barcelona this weekend and would have the opportunity to talk. Erdogan can trust me since I'm a strong defender of my beliefs, views and statements."
Merkel stated that she might travel to a summit of European and Mediterranean (Euromed) leaders in Barcelona and might meet with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan on the sidelines of this summit.
Erdogan, Zapatero to push for Alliance of Civilizations
Erdogan, is expected to leave Turkey on Saturday to hold talks with his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero as part of their Alliance of Civilizations initiative, and then to participate in the Euromed Summit.
This initiative was launched by Erdogan and Zapatero under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and their three-day meeting will be the first high-level group meeting which will be held in Palma de Mallorca starting on Sunday.
Erdogan will proceed to Barcelona the same day to represent Turkey in the Euromed Summit where the fight against terrorism, economic reform, methods to produce concrete regional commitments on human rights, good governance, democracy and transparency and education will top the agenda.
The New Anatolian and JTW
27 Nov. 2005 |
Sunday, 27 November 2005
Turkey and Germany
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