MEETING AT MFA RE DUBLIN GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 000856

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2014
TAGS: EAID SNAR TU
SUBJECT: MEETING AT MFA RE DUBLIN GROUP


REF: BRUSSELS 139


Classified by DCM Robert S. Deutsch. Reason: 1.5 (B),(D),
(E).



1. (U) On February 11 Econoff met with Murat Ates, Head of
Department, International Political Organizations, MFA, to
discuss Turkey,s application to join the Dublin Group (DG).



2. (C) Ates reiterated Turkey's interest in joining the DG
and explained the GOT's opposition to forming a Mini-Dublin
Group (MDG) (Reftel). First, he argued that formation of a
MDG is generally viewed as a sign that a country is in
difficulty, while Turkey's anti-narcotics regime has been
quite successful. Second, the GOT thinks it is discriminatory
that the new EU members from Eastern Europe will be admitted
to the DG, when Turkey's anti-narcotics contributions are
much greater and its condition much better. Third, the GOT
fears that if it agrees to a MDG, it will never get a firm
date for joining the DG.



3. (C) Ates also mentioned his belief that the Ankara
embassies of certain countries that are members of DG have
formed an informal MDG, and are meeting regularly. Econoff
said he was unaware of such meetings.



4. (C) Ates said that not all of the DG members from the EU
are opposed to Turkey's membership in the DG, and that
support from the U.S. could be determinative. He
acknowledged, however, that it is unlikely that anything will
happen before next June, when the DG is expected to adopt
formal rules of membership.
EDELMAN