Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he held talks with the Turkish Minister for Europe when he visited Dublin; the agenda that was discussed at these meetings; if Ireland’s Presidency of the EU will include any talks on the barriers to Turkey’s accession to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1663/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I met with the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Mr. Egemin Bağis, during his visit to Ireland on 17 – 19 December 2012. The Minister also met with my colleague the Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton T.D. While there was no set agenda for my meeting with Minister Bağis, our discussion centred on the prospects for reinvigorating Turkey’s stalled EU accession process. This was also the main item of discussion for Minister Bağis and Minister of State Creighton.

EU enlargement is a priority for the Irish Presidency. We see it as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in Europe. During our Presidency Ireland will work to facilitate and advance the process for Turkey, as we will for all other candidates and prospective candidates.

In that regard I welcome the December 2012 European Council Conclusions on Turkey, which are constructive and balanced, and which recognise that it is in the interests of both parties that accession negotiations regain momentum soon. The Conclusions call upon Turkey to further build on its progress to date on reforms, including in the area of fundamental rights and the rule of law, and to commit itself to good neighbourly relations and to the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Both Minister of State Creighton and I conveyed to Minister Bağis that Ireland would hope to be in a position to open a negotiation Chapter with Turkey during our Presidency. However we also conveyed to him that whether concrete progress proves possible will depend on the willingness of all parties, both the EU Member States and Turkey, to facilitate this through working together in a positive and constructive atmosphere, and, on the part of Turkey, through implementing the necessary reforms.

We also touched upon some recent developments, notably in respect of Syria and the Kurdish issue, human rights as well as on bilateral relations.