Slovenian president offers 'special status' on EU membership for Ukraine

04.09.2019 12:35

Ukrinform

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor has offered the EU to grant a “special status” to Ukraine and Turkey instead of a full EU membership.

He stated this during a panel discussion on the future of the EU at the 14th Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, Anadolu Agency reported.

"Pahor said that he would suggest a "special status" for Turkey and Ukraine, and full EU membership for Western Balkan countries," the report says.

In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized Slovenian President Borut Pahor's statements, saying that he was "strongly" advocating Turkey's EU membership until last year. Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey wanted a full membership in the European Union.

"I do not know what changed his mind. Probably [French President Emmanuel] Macron and some others. But there should be a principle of continuity of the state and also of the EU," Cavusoglu said.

According to him, Turkey is ready to open a new chapter in negotiations with the EU, if the issue is related to standards and commitments.

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