Cablegate: Slovakia Supports Turkish Eu Accession

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PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSL #0959 3461413
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 121413Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0529
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0038

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000959

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS TURKISH EU ACCESSION

1. FM Jan Kubis said Slovakia was among the majority of EU
Member States on the side of continuing accession
negotiations with Turkey, during a December 12 press
conference at the Slovak MFA. Kubis said Slovakia's goal was
to continue negotiations while sending a clear signal of
displeasure with Turkey's continued failure to live up to its
Istanbul commitments. "A very small group of countries"
thought suspending even eight chapters was too strict a
punishment, "and an even smaller group" thought it was not
harsh enough, said Kubis. Kubis said Slovakia supports
Turkey's candidacy in recognition of the progress Turkey has
made, and because it is in the strategic interests of
Slovakia and the EU.

2. PM Robert Fico told Parliament December 11 that he
supports Turkey's accession. Fico is quoted as saying that
Turkey must fulfill all the EU accession criteria just like
any other candidate, but that the country cannot be turned
away just for having a different religion.
VALLEE

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