Ashton: Time to set closer ties with Turkey

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said "Now it is not time to cut the ties with Turkey, it is time to set closer ties," regarding the protests in Turkey. The European Parliament (EP) discussed the protests in Taksim Gezi Park in EP general assembly meeting. Regarding Taksim Gezi Park protests in Turkey, Ashton said "Now, it is not time to cut the ties with Turkey, it is time to set closer ties". About Turkey's EU membership, Asthon indicated that "we are close to open a new chapter in accession process of European Union". Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held talks with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle over the phone to discuss Taksim Gezi Park protests. Davutoglu criticized the session about Turkey in the Parliament of Germany for the way it was conducted.   "When the similar events happen in European countries including Germany, they do not react differently than Turkey did," also said Davutoglu.