"Bakoyannis backs Turkey's EU bid, examines special relationship
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The Greek Foreign Ministry is examining contingency plans to prepare for the event of a European Union-Turkey �special relationship� due to the increasingly hostile climate in Europe to Turkey's EU membership, said Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis Thursday. Addressing a cabinet meeting on foreign policy and justice issues chaired by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Foreign Minister Bakoyannis reiterated that the issue of a special relationship instead of full membership could only be decided unanimously and not with Greece's sole agreement. Expressing formal backing for Turkey's prospective EU membership, Bakoyannis said Athens was against any binding decisions on European Union enlargement that would bar the EU perspectives of Turkey and the western Balkan states. Bakoyannis also emphasized Greece's support for Turkey's European course, noting that this was a fundamental element of her country's overall policy for Greek-Turkish bilateral relationships."
Bakoyannis backs Turkey's EU bid, examines special relationship - Turkish Daily News Jul 14, 2007
