BRUSSELS
"We are pleased to hear Erdogan's statement that Turkey continues to remain committed to its membership goal," Peter Stano, the spokesperson for EU's top enlargement official, told The Anadolu Agency.
During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, Erdogan said the EU would lose Turkey if the country was not accepted to the Union as a full member by 2023, when Turkey will celebrate the centennial anniversary of the founding of the modern republic.
Stano said the commission attached great importance to the revival of accession negotiations which have been stalled due to the Cyprus issue and opposition by certain EU members, adding that the commission would continue to support 'the positive agenda' which was launched last May to add a fresh momentum to the membership process.
"Turkey's active support to the positive agenda and the European perspective remains crucial," Stano said.
In its accession talks, Turkey has so far provisionally completed one of the 35 EU policy chapters, which all EU candidate countries are required to conclude for membership.
Citing political reasons, Greek Cypriot administration and France have blocked nearly ten chapters in Turkey's talks.
