Slovakia welcomes EU accession talks with Turkey and Croatia

Slovakia is satisfied with the European Union's decision to begin accession talks with Turkey and Croatia. This is according to Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, speaking at a press conference in Bratislava on Tuesday. Dzurinda believes that Europe will be a safer place if Turkey and the Western Balkan countries develop in the right way. The Prime Minister also pointed out that Slovakia is ready to help Croatia with its accession talks. Foreign Affairs Minister Eduard Kukan regards the EU decision to open negotiations with Turkey and Croatia as the right one, because it will help to create a positive and dynamic atmosphere in Europe. Both Dzurinda and Kukan think that European leaders share the responsibility for the results of the accession talks. "European history was not created by referendums, but by statesmen, especially those who were not afraid to take decisions that were not welcomed by certain people," said Kukan.

However, according to Kukan, if Turkey wants to be a "European" country, it must meet all the EU criteria and conditions that current member states have had to meet. "The EU negotiations with Turkey will be long and difficult. They include 73 points, each of which could block the accession talks. However, if Turkey meets all the conditions, there will be no problem in accepting Turkey as a new EU member," said Kukan.