Rice trip putting focus on Ankara
Concern about Turkey’s actions is growing within the European Union, the Greek government said yesterday, as it confirmed that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit both countries next week. Pressure is mounting on Ankara to comply with its obligations to the EU, which it hopes to join in the future, especially as Brussels is due to deliver a progress report on Turkish reforms in October. «There is a general view in the EU that Turkey is experiencing ‘reforms fatigue’,» said Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos. «There is concern about the degree to which Turkey has responded so far, not just in Greece or Cyprus but throughout Europe and beyond,» he added. Reports in Turkey have suggested that Ankara is examining ways in which it can avoid allowing Cypriot ships and airplanes to access its ports and airports. Rice’s visit comes at a sensitive time for the region. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis confirmed that the US secretary of state will visit Athens on Thursday, a day after holding talks in Turkey, although no details of her trip or the agenda were provided. Bakoyannis played down fears of protests during Rice’s visit. Her predecessor, Colin Powell, twice canceled trips to Greece. «Greek people are hospitable. We have traditionally had good relations with the US. I am not afraid of anything,» Bakoyannis said.
