Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini thinks that the EU membership negotiations must be continued with Turkey even though the general atmosphere in the country is against the Union. Minister Soini talked with Turkey’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu on the phone on Monday. Minister Soini tells that Minister Cavusoglu told him directly that Turkey is not interested in the EU or what it says. However, Minister Soini thinks that the membership negotiations must be continued as they are the only way to influence Turkey. According to him, the EU is dependent on Turkey’s help when it comes to managing the refugee crisis as well as problems in Syria and Iraq.

Media:  Kainuun Sanomat 

Date: 15.11.2016

Journalist: STT, Annu Marjanen

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini