Ankara – “Relations between Italy and Turkey have always been excellent. It is still useful to intensify the dialogue between the two countries and consolidate bilateral relations, also in consideration of the application for membership to Europe by Ankara. Our country has always been in favour of the process of bringing Turkey closer to the EU, although we are aware of the conflicts this would give rise to. The agreement signed between Turkey and Europe on migrants, which has already led to a significant reduction in flows to our continent, can favour the re-opening of negotiations on the acceleration on the process of accession”, according to the president of the EU Commission for EU Policies, Chamber of Deputies, Michael Bordo, of the Italian Democratic party, during his meeting with the Minister European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator of the Republic of Turkey Ömer Çelik. “Turkey has a strategic role and function in the context of the Middle East region. Italy appreciates the efforts made by Ankara, especially in the last period, to recover difficult diplomatic relations with some countries and to actively combat Daesh, while suffering heavy consequences in terms of human lives and the economy due to terrorist attacks. However, further progress must be made to resolve some outstanding issues between Turkey and Europe, in order to maintain the commitments made by both parties for the agreement on immigration.” (9Colonne)
