Italy strongly supports Turkey's EU membership processMay 4, 2009 - 18:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Speaking at a conference in Ankara, Marsili said that Turkey's face always turned towards western world.Noting that EU membership process was difficult, Marsili stressed that the target of Turkey was full membership to the EU. Marsili said that if Turkey met all the conditions asked by the EU in the end of membership negotiations, then there would not be any obstacle before Turkey's membership. He noted that Turkey should speed up membership process and fulfill the reforms within that scope. Expressing belief that there would be a "successful marriage" between Turkey and the EU, Marsili said that he believed the artificial obstacles before the membership negotiations would be eliminated. Marsili said that relations with Cyprus and Greece were influential issues in Turkey's negotiation process, adding that insolubility of Cyprus issue damaged Turkey's EU membership process. Noting that they did not want the EU to be a Christian club, Marsili said that objecting Turkey on the grounds that it was a Muslim country was not appropriate to the founding values of the EU. Marsili said that Turkey, in all aspects, was a European country, and it was important as a secular and democratic country. Noting that Turkey had one of the most dynamic economies of Europe, Marsili pointed out the economic growth of Turkey despite the global economic crisis, Today's Zaman reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |