Estonian and Turkish Foreign Ministers: Tallinn-Istanbul Airline Will Help to Intensify Relations Between Estonia and Turkey
18.12.2009
At Foreign Minister Urmas Paet’s meeting with Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu in Ankara, the latter stated that Turkey is
very interested in further intensifying ties with Estonia and that in
the spring a direct flight between Tallinn and Istanbul will be opened.
Foreign Minister Paet stated that relations between Estonia and
Turkey are good and close. “In the near future we anticipate the
opening of the direct flight connection and many joint cultural
projects within the framework of Istanbul 2010 and Tallinn 2011 as
European Capitals of Culture. Turkey’s decision in the summer of 2008
to allow visa-free travel for Estonian citizens has also had a positive
effect,” Paet added.
Paet confirmed Estonia’s support for Turkey’s desire to join the
European Union. “Turkey has made progress in implementing reforms.
However, there is still much to be done, and so it is a good thing that
the environmental chapter of European Union-Turkey accession
negotiations will be opened on Monday,” Paet noted. “At the same time,
reforms must continue, and resolving the issues with Cyprus is also of
key importance.”
One chapter of negotiations that is currently frozen is the energy
chapter. According to Paet, Turkey is one of the most important energy
transit countries and source of alternatives for the EU, and it plays a
vital role in increasing the energy security of the European Union.
“Increasing energy-related co-operation is in the interests of both the
European Union and Turkey,” stated Foreign Minister Paet.
The foreign ministers also discussed Estonia’s co-operation with
Turkey within the framework of NATO. Foreign Minister Paet stated that
Estonia’s defence-related co-operation with Turkey in NATO has gone
very well. “Turkey was the first NATO member from the Mediterranean
region who guarded the airspace of Estonia and the other Baltic
nations, and they did it for a longer period that usual. Our views on
NATO’s new strategic concept are the same as well,” asserted Paet. The
Estonian foreign minister also welcomed Turkey’s participation in the
NATO Co-operative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. “Cybercrime is a
part of today’s security risks, and international co-operation to
ensure cyber security is extremely important,” Paet emphasised.
The foreign ministers also addressed the situation in the South
Caucasus. Foreign Minister Paet stated that the normalisation of
relations between Turkey and Armenia will open new opportunities for
important developments in the entire region. “We should also use all
possible opportunities to gradually reach a peaceful solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” said Paet.
During his visit, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet also has meetings
scheduled with Turkish Minister for European Affairs and chief European
Union negotiator Egemen Bagis and Minister of Culture Ertugrul Gunay.
