Fule's scaled-back schedule reflects snub from Ankara

Seeking to jump-start Turkish-European Union ties and Ankara's accession process, and to offer the European Commission's full support for further reforms in the wake of last month's elections, European Commissioner Stefan Fule is set to arrive in Turkey today, but he will not meet with the president or prime minister. During his visit, Fule will meet with new EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as well main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. But Fule's wish to meet with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan was spurned, reportedly because European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy failed to meet with Erdogan this February when he visited Brussels. In addition, Fule will meet with the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), the Confederation Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON), members of the Economic and Social Committee, and representatives of universities, think-tanks and civil society groups.