France offers Turkey assurances on EU talks

"We have been given assurances that the French presidency will be a normal presidency, and they say they hope to continue to open chapters," Babacan told a hearing of the foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament.

Babacan said Paris would continue to open negotiations on new policy areas, known in EU jargon as chapters, during its presidency of the 27-nation bloc.

The EU opened entry talks with Turkey in 2005, but there has been little progress amid disagreements over Cyprus and opposition from France and other EU countries, including Austria and Germany. The bloc also suspended negotiations in eight policy chapters because of Turkey's refusal to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels.

The EU is expected to soon open negotiations with Turkey on the company law and intellectual property rights chapters as part of the country's membership talks, bringing the total to eight out of the 35 chapters that candidates are required to complete.

Sarkozy reiterated his long-standing opposition to Turkey joining the EU, making clear he did not see a country which is predominantly Muslim but was founded as a secular state as European, in an interview published in Wednesday's edition of the Polish newspaper Dziennik, Reuters reported.

"For me it is crucial that the EU doesn't become an entity without unity, will and social support," Sarkozy said.

Babacan cited on Tuesday one unnamed EU state in particular as holding up part of the talks an indirect reference to France and President Nicolas Sarkozy's oft-stated opposition to Turkey's membership aspirations.

ADDRESS IN EP COMMITTEE

Babacan addressed later on Wednesday the members of the External Relations Committee of the European Parliament.

Turkey was working hard to improve stability, peace and prosperity in its region, he said in his speech at the parliament.

"Turkey, even as a candidate country, makes remarkable contributions to the EU (and its foreign policy). When it becomes a member, EU's strategical depth will improve," Babacan was quoted by the Anatolian Agency as saying.

"We have a good dialogue with Iran. Political dialogue is the key to the solution of the nuclear dispute. Turkey does not want any nuclear weapons in its region," he said.

He also said Turkey was a country which defended Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity in the strongest way.

He said Turkey's fight against the terrorist organization, which used Iraq's north as a base and infiltrated Turkey with the purpose of waging attacks, should not be perceived as a violation in terms of territorial integrity or a threat against the Iraqi public.

"The terrorist organization makes propaganda claims that 'it represents Kurdish people'. Do not be deceived by that," he added.

Babacan also said the current opportunity in Cyprus, the ethnically divided island, should be evaluated well. "The window cannot always stay open," he said.

Babacan said he hoped the Turkish jurisdiction would preserve its prestige and take a decision in conformity with the Copenhagen criteria and the principles of the Venice Commission on the closure case filed against Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

Turkish and EU officials discussed the importance of intercultural dialogue, as well as the current status of Turkey's relations with the EU at a joint parliamentary commission meeting held in the Belgian capital, Brussels on Wednesday.

European Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten said Turkey had a great potential, as well as a young and dynamic population.

The Dutch rapporteur also said preserving the principle of "rule of law" and "secularism" was of great importance.

In a session focusing on "intercultural dialogue," Turkish officials also explained the importance Turkey attached to secularism and democracy.

Joost Lagendijk, co-chairman of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission, said during the session that democracy and secularism were "Turkey's strong cards," adding the country should maintain the balance between the two.

Turkish officials briefed their European counterparts effectively on the secularism issue, which he called an indispensable principle for Turkey, Yasar Yakis, Turkish co-chairman of the Commission, told in a joint conference with Lagendijk after the meeting.

The Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission will hold its next meeting on October 27-28 in Turkey.

Photo: AA