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President Gul discussed Turkey's EU bid with French PM

Türkiye Materials 9 October 2009 05:55 (UTC +04:00)
Turkish President Abdullah Gul discussed with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon over his country's bid for the membership of European Union (EU) on Thursday during his official visit in Paris, Xinhua reported.
President Gul discussed Turkey's EU bid with French PM

Turkish President Abdullah Gul discussed with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon over his country's bid for the membership of European Union (EU) on Thursday during his official visit in Paris, Xinhua reported.
   The two parties negotiated relations about EU and Turkey besides talks about bilateral relations and important international issues, such as peace and security and the fight against terrorism, Fillon's office said in a statement issued after their meeting.
   Turkey started its bid for EU membership in 2005, but with France leading the opposing group with some other EU members, it only opened talks with only 11 of the 35 policy areas that candidates must complete.
   "The positions of each country were reiterated," the statement said, suggesting no significant progress on the EU issue.
   It is claimed that Gul's three-day visit, which began on Wednesday, focuses on Turkish Culture Season in France, including a series of culture events across French cities.
   The culture parts of Gul's visit seems so warmly welcomed by French authorities that even the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, has been lit every night in the colors of the Turkish flag since Tuesday, the eve of Gul's arrival.
   However, French President Nicolas Sarkozy insisted that France only wants "Turkey to be a bridge between East and West," which marks the border of Europe rather than being included in Europe, according to his declaration in June.
   Undoubtedly, Friday will be the key day for Turkey when Gul meets with Sarkozy for the opening of a Turkish culture exhibition in Paris.

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