Germany's Merkel: Turkey is an important partner

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkey was an important partner and opening a new chapter was a new step in EU negotiations. Speaking at the German Federal Assembly Bundestag, Merkel touched upon topics such as EU budget, Turkey's EU accession negotiations and Syria crisis. Merkel thanked German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who conducted an "awesome diplomacy" before the opening of the new 22nd chapter with Turkey. Welcoming an agreement to resume talks with Turkey on  EU accession,Merkel also warned Turkey upon Gezi Park protests that democratic values were non-negotiable. Merkel argued that the agreement reached this week for progress in Turkey's application for membership depended on the respect for human rights and political reform indicated that EU was "not acting as if nothing had happened". "This outcome makes it clear that Turkey is an important partner but that our European values of freedom to demonstrate, freedom of opinion, the rule of law and religious freedom, are always valid and are not negotiable for them," noted Merkel. Stressing that the death toll in Syria was on the rise day by day risking the whole region, Merkel also announced that Berlin would provide any support to the Syrian opposition excluding weapon aid. Merkel underlined that United Nations chemical waepon observers should have access to Syria, saying "The people of Syria are in critical condition. Germany and G8 countries will provide financial support for them." Calling upon her EU partners, Germany's  Merkel urged the European Parliament to immediately reach a decision on theEU budget until 2020 before the summer term so as not to further cause unemployment in Europe. "The time is running out," she added.