Corlatean expresses Romania's support for Turkey's EU membership bid

Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean said that the consular services of Turkish citizens in Syria are conducted by diplomatic representatives of Romania. In an interview to the Zaman daily during his first official visit to Turkey, Corlatean said that Romania had the highest number of citizens in Syria among other EU member countries and thanked Turkey for helping the release of Romanian people living in Syria. Underlining that Turkey is a successful model for the democratic methods which have emerged in the region following the Arab Spring, Corlatean said that Romania appreciated Turkey for opening its doors to Syrian refugees and that they have promised to help Ankara regarding the issue. Corlatean added that an action plan regarding the application of Strategic Partnership Document which was adopted by presidents of the two countries in December 2011 was signed during his visit and that they also reached an agreement about the protocols consisting of concrete projects in such fields as education, culture, art, press, youth and sports. Corlatean also expressed gratitude for 12,858 Turkish-partnered companies operating in Romania, saying that they aim to increase the trade volume between the two countries currently totaling $4.3 billion to $10 billion as soon as possible. He also stressed that Romania strongly supported Turkey's EU membership bid.