(Cihan) - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Tuesday insisted that the partial freezing of the membership talks was acting against the spirit of ties with Turkey.
"The (suspension) decision does not tally with the core and spirit of the relations. Turkey is fully committed to the EU membership process," Gul said "and Turkish public supports it."
FM Gul answered reporters' question at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara. He said that the EU was using the additional protocol as an excuse because of its internal crisis. Even so, according to Gul, Turkey would not miss the EU mark, reports Trend.
"Unfortunately, at this juncture, the EU is showing a lack of vision," Gul said. "They're not aware of their own greatness or importance."
Still, Gul vowed to continue a reform process aimed at improving human rights, as well as the country's legal, economic and social systems to meet EU standards.
"We are aware of our own shortcomings," Gul said. "The roadmap in front of us is clear. Turkey knows what it needs to do... We will do this with our own will."
The minister also evaluated British PM Blair's statement on direct flights to Turkish Cyprus. He said the statement coming from an important country like Britain was of great significance.
Gul also listed some of the chapters the government expected to be included in further negotiations with the bloc.
Education and culture, financial services, enterprise and industrial policy, economic and monetary policy are some of the chapters Gul enumerated as likely to be opened for negotiations.