The 51st meeting of the Turkey-European Union Association Council was held in Brussels on 27 May 2013 under the chairmanship of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu and with the participation of Mr. Gilmore, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, which currently holds the EU Presidency and Mr. Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy.

Speaking at the joint press conference Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stressed that the EU membership is a strategic goal for Turkey. “It has been 50 years since the Ankara Agreement was signed in 1963. The EU membership has been our strategic goal since then and will continue to be” said Foreign Minister Davutoğlu pointing that the number of the chapters opened for negotiations is not sufficient. Referring to the 22nd chapter which is expected to be opened during Irish Presidency Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said “You cannot call it spring with one bloom in sight” and underlined that other chapters which were blocked for political reasons should also be opened.

“We are of the opinion that Turkey deserves EU membership and international system needs, more than ever, to see Turkey as an EU member. An EU including Turkey will have a stronger voice in the world affairs and will be more effective” stressed Foreign Minister Davutoğlu.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu emphasized that it is unacceptable for Turkish nationals to be denied free movement within the EU while Turkish goods have had this right for 17 years since Turkey joined the Customs Union and added that the EU has fallen behind on visa liberalization to Turkish nationals and from now on this is a matter of urgency.

Press Release regarding the 51st meeting of the Turkey-EU Association Council