Turkish authorities are too emotional about Turkey -EU negotiationsJune 22, 2009 - 13:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "Calling it a 'privileged partnership' is wrong. Turkey is already in a customs union with us. What we seek is a relationship that would make Turkey associated as much as possible with the EU," Pierre Menat, director of EU affairs for the French foreign ministry, told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review in an interview conducted last week in Paris."It would be much better if we could discuss it. But it's not possible, as the Turkish authorities are too emotional on this issue. If we can see the reality, then we can have better relations," he said. French President Nicholas Sarkozy is known for his firm opposition to Turkey's admission into the EU, a stance in which he is joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Sarkozy says Turkey's full membership in the EU would destabilize the bloc's future by enlarging its borders to the fragile Middle East. "Having said so, France, during its EU term presidency, did not hinder the negotiations," he said. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |