Babacan: "We'll be ready for the EU in 2013"

Claims that Turkey's European Union accession process has slowed down are unfounded, and in fact by 2013 Turkey will be ready for the EU, declared Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday. "There's a lot to do," he said. "We have to make a great many changes to the Constitution and laws to deepen our political reforms. Our target in the EU process is full membership." He also stated that they will announce Turkey's national program for full EU membership this summer. In related news, today Babacan will open a Turkey-Pacific islands foreign ministers' meeting in Istanbul aiming to strengthen Turkey's relationship with south Pacific nations.