Jagland meets with Erdogan, Ergin

After holding official contacts with Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland, who has been on an official visit to Turkey for two days, yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. During the meeting, Interior Minister Muammer Guler and Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader and former Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mevlut Cavusoglu were also present. During the talks Jagland held with Erdogan and Ergin on Tuesday, the officials discussed recent protests in Turkey as well as Turkey's membership talks with the EU. Speaking to reporters after having talks with Erdogan, Jagland said, "The Council of Europe may play a significant role in Turkey's EU membership process, particularly in the opening of new chapters with the EU bloc. The continuation of accession talks for Turkey's European Union membership bid is vital both for Europe and the country."