NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor receives Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator of Turkey Egemen Bağiş

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor this afternoon received the Minister for European Affairs and Chief Negotiator of the Republic of Turkey Egemen Bağiş with whom he particularly discussed the process of enlargement of the European Union. Prime Minister Pahor said that Slovenia is and will be further committed to EU enlargement. The Turkish Minister thanked the Slovenian Prime Minister for the reception and for Slovenia’s support in continuing the enlargement process.  He also emphasized that Turkey does not wish to become a member of the European Union immediately, as it understands all the problems faced by the EU regarding enlargement; it however wishes that the process continues.

    

Prime Minister Pahor went on to say that currently the EU devotes more attention to the issues of resolving the economic crisis of the Member States facing financial problems and to the situation in the Southern Mediterranean, therefore enlargement is not on the agenda.  EU leaders will need to put quite some efforts into reconsidering the priorities of the European Union since further enlargement will benefit the current EU Member States and the candidate countries.  Minister Bağiş agreed with this thesis adding that Turkey’s economic growth in 2010 amounted to 9 % and that its economic indicators should be a sufficient reason for the European Union to take advantage of all the potentials Turkey is offering. On the other hand, also Turkey must take advantage of the willingness for cooperation. At the close of the meeting, Prime Minister Pahor and Minister Bağiş touched upon the situation in Libya and agreed that firstly cease-fire should be achieved and then efforts should be made to find a solution through dialogue for the benefit of Libya and its citizens.