Turkey-EU political dialogue meeting held in Istanbul

Turkey-European Union political dialogue meeting aimed at solving critical issues in Turkey's accession negotiations and strengthen cooperation in regional and international politics was held in İstanbul on Thursday with participation of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Turkey's EU Affairs Minister, Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule. Speaking at the meeting, Bagis said that there were certain politicians in the EU who thought they can block Turkey with a narrow vision. "EU membership is a strategic goal of Turkey. Turkey's steps for reforms have made Turkey more democratic, transparent, prosperous, respectable and self-confident," Bagis underlined. Speaking for her part at the joint press conference held after the gathering, Ashton said the EU supported the launch of the Positive Agenda initiative. "I really do hope that it will give new momentum to the accession process," Ashton said, pointing out to the excellent cooperation between Turkey and EU on foreign policy.