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14:42 GMT
BRUSSELS, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- EU foreign ministers ended here Saturday afternoon a 2-day informal meeting which focused on EU cooperation with the its "strategic partners," ties with Turkey, and the humanitarian situation in flood-stricken Pakistan.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton underlined the role of Turkey, as an important candidate country and partner.
"Turkey is an important candidate (and)... partner in some of the areas we are involved in. So, (this has been) an opportunity for foreign ministers to consider how we take that forward, bearing in mind that some of the real issues, of course, still lay unresolved on the island of Cyprus, and of course, the relation with Greece," she said.
On Pakistan Ashton said it is very important to address the humanitarian crisis there and the health crisis as well, and also to examine a comprehensive approach to the needs of Pakistan.
"So, for example, ensuring that we continue to work to build the institutions, to ensure that our work in counterterrorism, in supporting the police, in investigation and so on, continues and develops," she added.
On Saturday, a working breakfast was also held with the four EU candidate member states: Turkey, Macedonia, Croatia and Iceland.
Ashton also said that next week she will announce the names of the first batch of diplomats assigned to the new EU diplomatic service.
The informal meeting of EU foreign ministers is held once every six months. It is known as "Gymnich" which refers to the site in Germany where the gathering of this type was first held during the German EU presidency in 1974. (end) nk.ajs KUNA 111742 Sep 10NNNN