Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton bezoekt Turkije: toetreding en ontwikkelingen in de buurlanden op de agenda (en) - Montesquieu Instituut

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, visits Turkey today. She will represent the European Union at the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, before co-chairing the EU-Turkey Ministerial Meeting with Commissioner Štefan Füle and Ahmed Davutoglu and Egemen Bagis, the Turkish Ministers for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs respectively.

"We are absolutely determined to work together in the fight against terrorism. Following the successful launch of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum in September in New York, I look forward to further progress in Istanbul," said Catherine Ashton.

The GCTF, launched ın New York last September, brings together governments from around the world whıch are committed to fightıng the scourge of terrorism. The meetıng will be jointly opened by FM Davutoglu and Secretary of State Clınton, and will be addressed by the HRVP on behalf of the EU.

The EU-Turkey Mınısterial meeting will cover issues of joint ınterest ın our common neıghbourhood - North Afrıca, Mıddle East and Western Balkans as well as relations under the revised Accession Partnership following the opening of accession negotiations.

There wıll be a joınt press conference followıng the meetıng at 18.30 Istanbul tıme. Video/photo coverage of the visit will be available from Europe by Satellite.