UK's Miliband discusses EU bid, climate change in Ankara

A roundtable meeting at Parliament yesterday brought members of Parliament's Environment Commission together with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to discuss efforts to fight climate change. Later in the day, Miliband spoke with senior Turkish leaders about Turkey's European Union accession bid. In Parliament, the commission's chair, Haluk Ozdalga of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), expressed his honor at being able to host the gathering, as there are only four weeks left before the Copenhagen conference on climate change. During the meeting, stressing that climate change is an issue that affects all nations and is a significant, long-term political issue, Miliband said, "The most important problem in the world with the fight against climate change is insufficient political willpower. Politicians need to be courageous on this issue." Climate change can affect many fields, including politics, economics, culture and security, but despite this tremendous influence, it is not given enough importance, he said, stressing that nations like Turkey need to take the lead in the struggle against global warming. Later in the day, Miliband held talks with both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Speaking at a joint press conference afterwards, Miliband called Turkey a global actor. Stating that Turkey and Britain are working together to resolve problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Miliband also voiced firm support for Turkey's European Union accession bid. "Turkey's EU perspective is towards full membership. Turkey's membership would be a significant symbol, as the EU is a union of values," he said. Calling for a quick settlement to the Cyprus problem, he added, "Progress in Cyprus peace talks is also very important for relations between the EU and NATO." For his part, Davutoglu stressed that Turkey's foreign policy has not shifted orientation, despite charges to the contrary, adding that Turkey is working to promote global and regional peace. Davutoglu also thanked Britain for supporting Turkey's EU accession process. "Britain is not a third party in the Cyprus issue, but it is one of the guarantor states under the (1960) treaties that founded Cyprus," he said. Davutoglu said Britain and Turkey have agreed to monitor developments on Cyprus more closely from now on. Davutoglu said they had also discussed Turkey's Middle East policy, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent visits to Iraq, Syria, Iran and Pakistan.