AK Party Deputy Chairman of External Affairs Suat KINIKLIOGLU attended a seminar in Stockholm about Turkey’s foreign political openings in the context of Sweden’s EU presidency organized by the Swedish Foreign Ministry on May 7, 2009.

During the seminar KINIKLIOGLU explained his government’s views about the EU, emphasized that the AK Party government was advancing with determination in the membership process and informed the participants from the Swedish Foreign Ministry, Prime Ministry and local ambassadors about the state of the membership talks.

KINIKLIOGLU said that it was making the membership talks difficult that the Cyprus issue was used as a hindrance. Although it has been the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey who have taken steps towards a solution this has not been appreciated accordingly. He added: “The Council’s 14-15 December 2006 decision to interrupt the negotiations on 8 chapters because of the Ankara Protocol will be removed if the Cyprus negotiations are successful. Therefore the current Cyprus negotiations are very important. We attach great importance to the potential of our European friends exerting due pressure on the Greek Cypriots.”

KINIKLIOGLU expressed his government’s pleasure about Sweden’s support in his country’s EU process and added: “Next month when Sweden will overtake the EU presidency we will discuss how we can tackle problems in the Middle East and Europe. We regard Sweden’s presidency as an opportunity and we hope that we will advance in the membership negotiations in this term. In 2009 we have the 10th anniversary of Turkey’s official acceptance as member candidate and we are planning activities to remind the successes which have been achieved in this 10 years. The AK Party government will continue its efforts to pass the necessary reforms through parliament.”