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Finland continues to back Turkey as future EU member

Mohit Joshi 13 May 2008

finland Helsinki - Finland Monday repeated its support for Turkey as a future member of the European Union when its fulfils the terms.

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb told reporters it was "very important that the negotiating process (between the EU and Turkey) keeps on going" after talks with his visiting Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan.

Stubb added he had no "crystal ball" over when Turkey could join the bloc.

Babacan said it would help Ankara if there was a specific date for the future membership, and such a step could perhaps also "help the EU to have more leverage to ask for deadlines from Turkey."

Both ministers expressed hopes for new momentum in efforts to find a solution to the division of Cyprus.

Babacan also met with President Tarja Halonen and parliament speaker Sauli Niinisto. (dpa)

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