Turkey hopes Bulgaria to play role on its EU process

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish lawmaker on Wednesday expressed hope that Bulgaria would play an important role for Turkey's EU membership process during its presidential term of the bloc.

In a meeting with Bulgarian Ambassador to Ankara, Turkish parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee head Volkan Bozkir recalled that Bulgaria would be the next term president of EU next year.

"We are sure that our neighbor and friend Bulgaria will play an important role for Turkey’s EU membership process," he said.

Bozkir also called for deepening economic relations between the two countries.

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.

However, negotiations stalled in 2007 due to the objections of the Greek Cypriot Administration in the divided island of Cyprus, and opposition from Germany and France.

To gain membership, Turkey has to successfully conclude negotiations on 35 policy chapters that involve reforms and the adoption of European standards.

As of May 2016, 16 chapters had been opened and one closed. However, in December 2016, member states said no new chapters would be opened.