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ANKARA - Ronald Pofalla, the Secretary General of German Christian Democrat Party (CDU) and an accompanying delegation have met the Justice & Development Party (AKP) deputy Chairman Reha Denemec and Parliamentary EU Adjustment Commission Chairman Yasar Yakis at AKP headquarters in Ankara today.
''We will hold a meeting to prepare the upcoming visit of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Turkey next October,'' said Denemec. ''Relations between Turkey and Germany are excellent. Bilateral meetings surely contribute to make them better.''
Pofalla remarked that the two parties share similar views on various issues.
''Of course, there may be issues on which we disagree. This is normal,'' stressed Pofalla. He expressed that, during the meeting today, two sides will discuss ways and means to improve relations.
The rest of the meeting between CDU and AKP delegations was closed to press.
Meanwhile, the CDU delegation paid a visit to the Turkish Parliament prior to coming to the AKP headquarters. Pofalla and his delegation met Chairman of the Turkish Parliament Human Rights Inquiry Commission Mehmet Elkatmis.
Elkatmis remarked that religious communities in Turkey can freely elect their leaders. ''However, Muslims in Western Thrace (Greece) are unable to elect their leaders on their own. Turkey is often reminded about its deficiencies in some areas. Those who criticize Turkey do not want to see and accept barriers put in front of Muslims,'' underlined Elkatmis.
On the other hand, Pofalla indicated that Turkey's EU accession is a long way to go.
''Turkey must take advantage of the EU accession process. Ankara has made great progress in human rights. We appreciate this,'' told Pofalla.
CDU SG Pofalla and his delegation also got together with Ali Bardakoglu, Chairman of the Religious Affairs Department.
