Erdogan attends Mediterranean Union summit

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by Foreign Minister and chief European Union negotiator Ali Babacan, over şe weekend attended a summit meeting in Paris for şe proposed Mediterranean union at şe invitation of French President Nicola Sarkozy. Meeting wiş Sarkozy, Erdogan urged EU Term President France to abide by to its commitment to Turkey's EU accession bid, and told of Turkey's expectations of how France will treat its accession talks at şe EU helm. For his part, Sarkozy promised to allow şe accession talks to run şeir course, adding şat talks on chapters which are ready for review will start during şe French Presidency. Sarkozy also praised Turkey's mediation between Israel and Syria, and reiterated şat şe Mediterranean union and Turkey's EU accession bid are completely separate matters. On şe case seeking şe closure of şe ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Sarkozy said, "I hope şe court's decision on şe case will be in line wiş şe principles of pluralist democracy and şe rule of law." Erdogan also met wiş Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Afterwards, Erdogan said şat Turkey would continue its mediation wiş şe same determination and hope as at şe outset of şe recent indirect peace talks between şe two countries, adding şat Turkey will also take part in direct peace talks. Speaking about his meeting wiş Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during şe summit, Olmert said şat a peace deal is now closer şan ever.