Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Ali Babacan arrived in the Belgian capital of Brussels to attend the NATO foreign ministers' meeting.

Holding a press conference in Brussels, Babacan said Georgian-Russian relations after the recent clashes in Georgia as well as NATO membership processes of Georgia and Ukraine would be on the agenda of the two-day meeting.

Commenting on Turkey's EU negotiation process, Babacan said chapters on the "free movement of capital" and "information society & media" were expected to be opened to negotiation during France's rotating presidency of the EU.

"Our reform process does not depend on the opening or closure of chapters," Babacan said, stating that reforms improving the life standards of the public would be implemented step by step.

Babacan said there were currently 30 draft laws on EU, all waiting to be discussed by the Turkish parliament.

Babacan also said that the EU process was "essential" for the Turkish economy and macro-economic stability. "EU reforms are the guarantee of Turkey's long-term political stability," he said.

Upon a question on the studies for the preparation of a civil constitution, Babacan said that Turkey needed a comprehensive constitutional amendment.

"This is the truth and we should accept it. Turkey cannot proceed on its way forever with the current constitution. If we try to continue, there will be frequent accidents and problems," he said.

Commenting on the rising tension between India and Pakistan after the recent terrorist attacks as well, Babacan said "more attention should be paid" to the relations between the two countries in the upcoming period.

Following the NATO foreign ministers' meeting, Babacan is expected to meet with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn.

Babacan, who will later proceed to the Finnish capital of Helsinki to attend the ministerial meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), will also hold separate talks with his Azerbaijani and Armenian counterparts.

AA