THE Turkish Foreign Minister, Ms Tansu Ciller, said yesterday she welcomed the EU agreement on a trade and investment plan for the Mediterranean blocked for months by Greece. But she said Turkey was still studying a declaration on relations in the region which Greece says Turkey must accept before the so called Meda agreement goes ahead.
Ms Ciller in Dublin for EU talks said Greece's decision to lift its veto on the plan was "a good step in the right direction". She said Turkey's acceptance to a declaration by EU foreign ministers calling on Mediterranean states to show "good neighbourliness" and respect democracy was not a precondition.
Asked whether Turkey's acceptance of the declaration was a precondition to further progress the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring said. "We had a discussion on, Monday at the Foreign Ministers Council and we adopted the Meda regulation. That is the situation." He said Ms Ciller had asked questions about the declaration on external relations and would now consider it.
The Meda plan seeks to create a Mediterranean free trade zone. The lifting of Greece's veto would allow the allocation of a further billion Ecs (£1 billion) part of the 4.7 billion Ecus earmarked for Meda. After lifting its veto on Monday, Greece warned it would reimpose its block if Turkey's behaviour was not satisfactory.
Ms Ciller called on the EU to honour its agreements with Turkey. "The veto being lifted will lead the way for the implementation of already existing agreements which we view as a major principle which should be adhered to she said.
Mr Spring said the Dublin talks had made worthwhile progress.