By Diyar Guldogan
ANKARA
Slovenia and Slovakia are looking forward to achieving key results during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the countries at the end of March.
Erdogan will meet his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor on March 30 and his Slovakian counterpart Andrej Kiska on March 31. They will exchange views on bilateral relations as well as on regional and international issues.
"Such kinds of visits play an important role. It opens additional space for cooperation," the Slovenian ambassador to Turkey told The Anadolu Agency.
Milan Jazbec said Turkey and Slovenia have enjoyed positive bilateral relations over the past 23 years, since the countries established diplomatic relations.
Slovenia declared its independence on June 25, 1991 and was recognized by Turkey on Feb. 6, 1992.
Slovenia and Turkey signed a strategic partnership document in 2011. "This has been an important milestone for the bilateral cooperation between countries," he added.
In a separate interview, the Slovakian ambassador to Turkey, Milan Zachar, said, "I hope this visit will be a positive sign for both countries that our relations are very good."
Zachar said the main issue of the visit is mainly trade.
In 2013, the total trade volume between Turkey and Slovakia reached $1.5 billion, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry website.
Jazbec, the Slovenian ambassador, said bilateral trade between the countries is close to $1 billion, but added, "We do not have many investments. In 2012, there was €6 million of investment and that is not much. It shows that both governments should encourage their companies more."
Turkey's EU membership process
"Slovenia firmly supports Turkey's EU membership ambitions," said Jazbec, adding that Turkey has shown its determination throughout the negotiation process.
After signing a partnership agreement with the European Economic Community in 1963, Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.
To gain membership, Turkey must successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters, which include reforms and the adoption of European standards.
So far, 14 chapters have been opened, while 17 remain blocked and another four have yet to be discussed.
"During last five to six years, only one chapter has been opened. This is incredible. How can this be possible? I don't understand this," Jazbec said.
"We are sure that the enlargement process is very important for the EU. It gives a lot of substance to it," he said, adding Turkey is a big, structurally important and diverse country for the EU.
Slovakian ambassador Zachar also underlined that his country supports Turkey's EU accession bid.
