EU's Rehn: "Erdogan should visit Brussels more often"

Recent crises such as the war in Georgia, conflict in the Middle East, and the energy standoff between Russia and Ukraine have increased Turkey's importance for the European Union, said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn yesterday. Meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and chief European Union talks negotiator Egemen Bagis in Brussels, Rehn said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan should visit Brussels more often. "There are solid foundations between the EU and Turkey to establish close cooperation," he added. For his part, Babacan said that Turkey has historical and cultural ties with a very large region, adding, "That's why it can open new doors to the EU." Bagis also said that with Turkey's accession to the Union, the EU can become an alliance and union of civilizations. "Turkey will continue to implement EU reforms for the nation's own good," he said.