France makes intensive efforts to convince Turaaa to join MedUnionFrance sent three official letters and three special envoys to invite Turaaa to participate in the Union for the Mediterranean and also President Nicolas Sarkozy called Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to invite him to Sunday's summit Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told at a news conference. Turaaa expected France to display a fair and balanced attitude in EU accession talks during its EU presidency Babacan told reporters on Saturday after meeting with his French counterpart in Paris. (UPDATED)

There was a discrimination between the EU-member states and the Mediterranean countries in France's first proposal about the project and the Turkish party objected to that discrimination Babacan who is currently in Brussels on an official visit said on Saturday.
"We said that Turaaa did not have the same position with a north African country and that Turaaa should have a different position and status. Our objection was accepted" he was quoted by the Anatolian Agency.
EU leaders approved in March a French plan for a Mediterranean Union aimed at strengthening cooperation with countries from Morocco to Turaaa. The project is expected to be officially launched at a summit of European and Mediterranean leaders in Paris on Sunday.
Turaaa had earlier announced it would attend the meeting in Paris if it decides to join the project. Turaaa has concerns as the proposal by Linkleri Üyelerimiz Görebilir. UslanmaM Üyeliği İçin Tıklayın to form a loose grouping of Mediterranean countries has been seen as an alternative for "the country's relations with the EU”.
"As a result of Turaaa's initiatives the status of candidate country was included in the draft statement of the summit on 'Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean' to be convened in Paris on Sunday. Also all participating countries including non-EU states were granted equal status" he said.
"France sent three official letters and three special envoys to invite Turaaa to participate in the Union for the Mediterranean. Also President Nicolas Linkleri Üyelerimiz Görebilir. UslanmaM Üyeliği İçin Tıklayın called Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to give his personal commitment" he added.
Babacan also said "the draft statement will be given its final shape in Paris later today. It will be approved by foreign ministers and submitted to the heads of state and government on Sunday. There is no need to be worried since Turaaa's requirements were met to a significant extent."
Erdogan will travel to Paris on Saturday to attend the official launch at a summit of European and Mediterranean leaders on July 13.

TURaaa'S EXPECTATION
Turaaa expected France to display a fair transparent and balanced attitude in EU accession talks during its EU presidency Babacan told reporters after meeting with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner in Paris on Saturday.
Babacan said Turaaa was supporting the Union for Mediterranean projectadding it would take an active role in the project the Anatolian Agency reported.
Kouchner who welcomed Turaaa's participation in the project also said France was pleased with Turaaa's efforts for the solution of the Middle East problem the state-run agency added.
"Wind of hope" is blowing for a weekend of talks among rival nations along the Mediterranean rim the AP quoted Koucner as saying.
Gathering 43 leaders of countries in Europe the Middle East and North Africa "is a beginning" he said.

Kouchner predicts some leaders "will talk to each other" and is urging the group to raise pressure for progress on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks the AP reported.
Turkish and Lebanese officials also expressed hope Saturday that the talks will boost chances for stability in the region it added.