Stating it would be wrong associate Article 301 with the Cyprus issue, Babacan made key statements about the economy and the Turkey-EU relationships during his last Europe tour before the Nov. 8 Progress Report is issued.
Replying to reporters’ questions on the 12-person jet chartered exclusively for the trip, Minister Babacan said he did not expect the EU summit in December to result in a decision to suspend talks with Turkey.
Babacan stressed progress reports are not prepared in order to praise, and as such will naturally include criticisms, adding: “They were using a magnify glass before the negotiations and now it’s a microscope. We should not overestimate reports.”
Pointing out it would be incorrect to link possible changes to Article 301 with the Cyprus issue, Babacan clarified the article was not unchangeable, just as all laws, and will be timely handled if necessary.
“The issue is not on the government’s agenda yet, jurists are assessing what can be done in technical terms,” Babacan said.
Babacan visited the Irish capital Dublin earlier this week as the guest of the National Forum on Europe, where he replied to forum members’ demands and criticisms regarding Cyprus.
The chief negotiator stated Turkey had always supported a solution in Cyprus and would continue to do so.
Pointing out issues such as ports should be discussed simultaneously with the issue of lifting embargoes against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Babacan dismissed arguments that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is an “Islamic party,” calling it instead a conservative party in favor of protecting traditions.
Babacan also met with the Irish foreign minister, finance minister and minister in charge of European affairs during his meetings in Dublin.
Babacan will continue Turkey’s EU campaign in Portugal today.
Portugal will assume the rotating EU presidency after Germany in the second half of 2007.
