Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel summed up his talks in Ankara on Tuesday by saying that Slovenia thought full-fledged EU membership was the only alternative for Turkey, while it should obey the same rules as other candidate countries.
"The track Turkey is on leads to membership and Slovenia supports that," Rupel said in Ankara, expressing his opposition to what he labelled as "short-cuts".
Turkey's talks with the EU and reforms required for EU membership topped the agenda as Rupel held separate meetings with President Abdullah Guel, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Speaker of Turkish Parliament Toptan Koeksal.
Rupel was confident about the progress of reforms despite problems. He said Erdogan briefed him on the items on the parliamentary agenda by the summer, including changes to the controversial penal code article 301, which the EU has criticised for restricting the freedom of speech.
Other important bills that Rupel says the Turkish parliament is expected to pass as early as Friday are those dealing with employment and commercial code.
The talks also touched on the legal action against the ruling Turkish AKP party, which is accused of being unconstitutional. According to Rupel, the Turkish officials were reserved in their comments, while Erdogan, the party's leader was critical of certain aspects of the trial.
Turkey will open two new chapters in accession talks with the EU before the end of Slovenia's term as EU president. "There may be more, but two are settled on," Rupel, the presiding EU foreign minister, said.
Since launching the talks in 2005, Turkey has opened six out of the customary 35 negotiating chapters, while negotiations on eight chapters have been suspended since the end of 2006 because of Turkey's failure to open its ports to Cypriot ships.
Rupel said that senior Turkish officials today expressed their wish for the EU to show more understanding for the Turkish-controlled part of the divided island. Cyprus was expected to be in focus as Rupel meets Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan over working dinner.
The Slovenian foreign minister also sought support for the Slovenian project of the European-Mediterranean University and he said several Turkish universities had expressed their interest.
Turkey meanwhile requested Slovenia's support for a historical commission in charge of examining the genocide which Turkey allegedly committed against the Armenians at the end of World War I. "We will provide this support," Rupel said.
Rupel also discussed with the Turkish officials bilateral relations, which he said were very good. Business cooperation is on the increase, while there is still room for growth, Rupel said.
He expressed wish for better transport links between the two countries and presented the advantages of the Slovenian port of Koper for Turkish companies. He also discussed investment possibilities and options for visa facilitation.
The minister will continue his visit in Ankara on Tuesday by taking part in an EU-Turkey ministerial on behalf of the EU together with European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. Turkey will be represented by Foreign Minister Abdulah Gul.
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