BRUSSELS
The trilateral meeting of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Interior Ministers of Belgium and Turkey was held in Brussels on Tuesday.
The meeting focused on boosting police and judicial cooperation as well as collaboration in fight against terrorism.
The Turkish delegation was composed of Ahmet Davutoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sadullah Ergin, Minister of Justice and Idris Naim Sahin, Minister of Interior.
The Belgian delegation consisted of Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs, Joelle Milquet, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Equal Opportunities, Annemie Turtelboom, Minister of Justice, and Maggie De Block, Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Social Integration and the Fight against Poverty.
Diplomatic officials said that terrorist organization PKK activities in Europe and measures that should be taken against its activities were discussed, stating that Turkish ministers informed their Belgian counterparts about democratization in Turkey in the meeting.
Turkish FM Davutoglu said at the press conference that terrorism was a threat in Turkey and also in Europe, stating that they attached a great importance to measures to be taken by justice and interior ministries as well as coordination between foreign ministers of Turkey and Belgium.
After the meeting, ministers signed a joint press statement.
It said, "The Ministers expressed their determination to fight terrorism and to further develop their cooperation in this field. They reiterated their commitment to pursue these objectives by means of measures in conformity with the obligations of the two States in terms of international law, particularly on suppression and prevention of terrorism, as well as on human rights and refugees."
"The Ministers welcomed the ongoing political dialogue between Turkey and the European Union in fighting terrorism. Turkey's very active participation in the UN instances dealing with terrorism was also underscored. The Ministers also reiterated the importance of the fight against financing of terrorism and agreed to pursue their efforts to this effect," it said.
The joint statement said, "The Ministers of Foreign Affairs expressed their pleasure on the steady development of bilateral relations in all areas in line with shared views and common interests. They also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, including Syria, human rights and the relations between Turkey and the European Union. The Ministers also dealt with consular and visa issues."
"The Ministers of the Interior (Home Affairs) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Police Cooperation which provides room for exchanges of experience and best practices in fighting terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking, illegal trafficking of drugs and money laundering, in full respect of national and international obligations," it said.
The statement added, "The Ministers of Justice signed a Joint Statement on Judiciary Cooperation including the establishment of technical consultations on legal assistance, in full respect of national and international obligations. Direct communication channels will be established between the central authorities in order to increase the effectiveness of cooperation and improve mutual comprehension of national procedures and legislation."
Turkish ministers meet EU commissioners
Davutoglu and Interior Minister Sahin met with EU commissioner for enlargement Stefan Fule and commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmstrom in Brussels on Tuesday.
Visa liberalization for Turkey, readmission agreement and Turkey-EU relations were discussed in the meeting.
