Turkey-EU Troika meeting held

A semi-annual Turkey-European Union Troika meeting was held yesterday in Prague, the Czech Republic, which holds the EU's rotating term presidency. Chaired by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, the meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, chief negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country next holds the Union's term presidency. The meeting focused on Turkey's EU reform process and membership talks, energy security, regional and international issues such as the Middle East peace process, the South Caucasus, Pakistan and India. Speaking to a joint press conference after the meeting, Rehn said that they are aware of the strategic interests the EU and Turkey share, adding that they had the chance to discuss those interests during the meeting.