Bildt considers Turkey an important strategic partners to EU

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt who is currently in Turkey for an official visit said yesterday that the EU had two important strategic partners, namely, the US and Turkey. Following a face-to-face meeting with his counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, Bildt held a joint press conference with him. Speaking at the conference, Bildt said that as part of developments in the Middle East and Africa and Turkey's role, Turkey came into prominence and thus it was important for the two sides to deepen and develop the dialogue between the two countries. Bildt added that Sweden strongly supported Turkey's full EU membership bid , which is not usually extended by Sweden to every country. Stating that the Cyprus issue was also discussed in the meeting, Bildt said that Sweden was a strong supporter of a comprehensive solution aimed at pleasing all sides. In reply to a question how he considered the progress report on Turkey which was prepared by the European Commission, Bildt defined the report as clear and balanced, stating that the report confirms a great many improvements in Turkey, but stresses that more reforms were needed in some fields. "Turkey should decide on what's best for itself, but an EU which has incorporated Turkey would become stronger, as well as more influential and dynamic in global terms," said Bildt. Touching upon Davutoglu's request from EU countries to provide Turkish citizens with visa conveniences, Bildt said that the issue could be handled separately by certain EU countries, rather than the EU as a whole, but that Sweden could take some individual steps aimed at easing Turkish citizens' entry to Sweden. Speaking prior to his counterpart, Davutoglu said that sound relationships between Turkey and Sweden were based on historical foundations and that such a visit which was paid on a Sunday displayed the strength of relations between the two countries. Following the conference, Bildt has also participated in the wedding ceremony of Director General of Press and Information Murat Karakaya as his wedding witness along with Davutoglu and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc.