Italy has praised Turkey’s presence in the European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR/EGF), an initiative comprising six European Union member states: France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain, while applauding Turkey’s role in strengthening European security.
In a written statement released on Tuesday, the Italian Embassy in Ankara expressed pleasure over the fact that Turkey would for the first time participate in an executive committee meeting of the EGF which was scheduled to be held in Paris yesterday.
“On the occasion of the previously mentioned meeting, Turkey’s entrance into the EGF with the title of observer will be registered. Italy has always pointed out the importance of having Turkey included in the EGF. The aforementioned development is once more proving the importance of the role played by Turkey in strengthening the European security system,” the statement said.
Last month, France, which had thus far resisted Turkey’s participation in the EGF, finally gave up its objection, with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner recently sending a letter to his then-Turkish counterpart, Ali Babacan, about the issue.
Source: Today’s Zaman, 14 May 2009