Merkel expresses support for Turkey's EU membership bid

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday met with Turkish journalists in Berlin as part of conversation meetings which have been launched by Turkish-German Cultural Forum and then turned into a tradition. During her conversations with Turkish journalists, Merkel said that she would support opening of new chapters in Turkey's membership talks with the EU. Stating that the concept of a privileged partnership was off the agenda now, Merkel said that she was loyal to the agreements which have been previously made. Expressing her gladness that no problem has occurred during the EU term presidency of the Greek Cypriot administration, Merkel said that Greece could take Turkey as an example in terms of economy.