This year Romania is holding the presidency of the EU Council, each member state of the European Union assumes this role for six months. This position involves an impartial attitude during the exercise of the term, so the leading state must not promote and pursue its own interests or those of another country. The presidency entails three main missions: to plan and head the meetings of the EU Council, to represent the Council in its interactions with other institutions of the EU, and to represent the EU in the dialogue with external partners. This is a good opportunity for Romania to prove its qualities of interaction with other states (EU members or not). Turkey is an eloquent example of developing closer relations with the European Union. Sharing a common past, Turkey is cooperating with Romania in its attempt to join the EU. In this respect, the Embassy of Romania to Turkey hosted and organized some political and cultural events: political meetings with Turkish officials concerning commercial and economic partnerships, forest tree plantation, Iftar dinners, activities related to Europe\u2019s Day etc <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking\ninto account the important historical and cultural ties between Romania and\nTurkey, and the big number of Turkish living in Romania, Romania\u2019s efforts to sustain\nthe adherence of Turkey to the European Union are understandable. If we also\ntake into consideration the Turkish people living in different European\ncountries, Turkey\u2019s adherence to the EU is of paramount importance for easing\ntheir lives and for rejuvenating the population of ageing Europe. In spite of\nsome disputes between the EU and Turkey, the membership talks must be carried\non.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkey also has a strategic location, being a\nbridge between Europe and the Middle East, it could act as a moderator between\nthe Islamic and Western worlds, therefore the peacekeeping actions of Turkey in\nCentral Asia and the Middle East are very important (taking into account that\nthe Turkish Army is the largest in Europe and one of the most valuable partners\nof NATO). Turkey could reduce Europe\u2019s dependence on Moscow, becoming an\nalternative energy corridor to Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So, despite some cons, there are many prons that stand up for Turkey\u2019s adherence to the European Union, and Romania\u2019s presidency of the EU Council should create an appropriate environment for negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marinic\u0103 Tiberiu \u0218chiopu, Romania<\/p>\n\n\n\n