UK, Turkey to work together on EU environment talks

Turkey and Britain on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in Turkey's talks with the European Union on the environment. The document was signed by Turkey's chief negotiator for EU talks, Egemen Bagis, and Britain's Minister for Europe David Lidington on the sidelines of a one-day Bosphorus conference that brought together senior Turkish and European officials. Lidington said the agreement is aimed at helping Turkey fulfill the requirements of the environment chapter, which he said would strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Bagis said for his part that Britain, whose ultimately successful bid to join the EU was initially rebuffed by other countries in the bloc, is in a good position to understand what Turkey is going through in its own EU bid. "Britain's accession talks were not without its pains. Britain is a source of inspiration for us with its commitment to EU integration," he said.