SLOVENIA SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION PROCESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000600

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015
TAGS: PREL TU SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION PROCESS

REF: SECSTATE 150087

Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief spoke with Robert Kremelj of the MFA
Department for Integration and Economic Relations. He
manages the EU enlargement portfolio. Kremlj repeated
Slovenia's consistent position which is that it supports
Turkey's accession, assuming it meets all the necessary
criteria, and the start of negotiations. Slovenia sees
Turkey as the anchor for south east Europe and believes with
Turkey in the accession process, the pressure will mount for
the rest of south east Europe to intensify reforms and start
their own accession processes. Kremlj said that "enlargement
has its path and it cannot be put aside because of political
differences" (referring to the no votes on the EU
constitution.)


2. (C) Kremelj described Turkey's recent comments about
Cyprus as "not helpful," but on close inspection he did not
see that, legally speaking, there was a problem. He did
expect an equally political response from the EU, but his
expectation was also that negotiations would begin as
planned. Sooner or later, Kremlj said Turkey would have to
face the "Cyprus question" and it would have to result in a
recognition of Cyprus. Kremlj also expected that recent
comments by France and others about Turkey's accession would
be "food for thought" at upcoming COREPER and Gymnich
meetings.
ROBERTSON


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2005LJUBLJ00600 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL



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