VILNIUS
Term president of European Union (EU) Lithuania both supported and warned Turkey over its membership to the Union, as Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius of Lithuania stated they "can not provide magic" and he has expectations for opening chapters but that there was no deal yet.
Having told AA in an exclusive interview after meeting Turkey's EU minister Egemen Bagis in Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Linkevicius noted on opening new chapters that "expectations are important but they should be realistic because after that frustration is not also fair."
Linkevicius stressed that "We stated not once that we will do our best in our rule of presidency," and "everyone understands and our Turkish friends as well that we cannot provide magic here. But we really can move things ahead and we are committed to do that."
"We really know details of where we are, what we are going to do, what we are going to agree, because many meetings, working level meetings, also political meetings are now presided by Lithuania. So, we really would like to focus on these issues and maybe this time during our presidency we will make full use of it this time around," Linkevicius underlined.
The minister stated it was very good that they decided to open the 22nd chapter about regional policy, saying, "It's something after the pause, something moving again. By the way, we will be able to do more. I believe we have motivation, we have good will."
Remarking also that expectations were important but they should be realistic, Linkevicius stressed if not, the frustration afterwards would not be a fair game. He added the achievable should be done and stated his belief that they are on good track although all sides should mobilize.
Linkevicius stated that Turkey knew what areas needed improvement and what the expectations were, saying there were some issues they really could move ahead and that they knew what they have to do.
Speaking also about the challenges, Linkevicius noted these were not only technical issues and said "You know what should be done technically, physically, and that's already kind of a result. So, also it is political. Political means it depends on perception of your development. It depends on subjective issues in regard to rule of law, human rights and similar subjective values. Our task is probably to make everything we can do to remove these obstacles from the way."
The EU Commission every autumn publishes a “Progress Report” stating its views on the developments during the current year concerning Turkey’s alignment with the EU’s acquis and in this context progress in accession negotiations with the EU.
The EU Commission, along with the Progress Reports on every candidate and potential candidate country, circulates an Enlargement Strategy document comprising assessments on its enlargement agenda. The latest Progress Report on Turkey and the Enlargement Strategy document were published on 10 October 2012.
Bagis had said Thursday that EU planned to announce Turkey's progress report in the coming month.
by Tugrul Cam
englishnews@aa.com.tr
