CRI听力:EU Foreign Ministers Meeting Held in Brussels, Turkey Tops the Agenda

As European Union foreign ministers begin the week in Brussels, Turkey tops the agenda.

On Monday, Turkey moved one step closer to becoming an EU member.

European Union leaders have agreed to examine Turkey's economic and monetary policy, to make sure it's aligned with EU rules and regulations.

It's a necessary step on the road to EU membership.

Volkin Bozkir is Turkey's minister to the EU.

"We have expressed our strong commitment to reinvigorate the process and proceed in all chapters. Turkey expects to join the union as an equal member with all the rights and obligations."

But some members of the European Parliament say Turkey will never grant full freedom of the press and full freedom of expression.

That too is needed for EU membership.

But the EU's top diplomat Federica Mogherini says membership talks must continue...because Turkey is an invaluable ally.

She met with Turkey's delegation visiting Brussels...

"We discussed the common approach to counterterrorism and common work with foreign fighters. Especially the difficult boarder between Turkey and Syria. both ways. Foreign fighters entering Syria and foreign fighters getting out of Syria and back to Europe."

Counterterrorism also was high on the agenda during the meeting of EU foreign ministers.

They're still working on how their coun tries can better share intelligence.

Security Expert Evgenia Gvozdeva says it's the most important issue the EU can push in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

"Still a lot of things should be done to improve the exchange of information between the security authorities on all levels between countries in the European Union. But at the same time as the Paris attacks showed, there should also be an exchange of information improved with countries beyond the borders of the European Union.

And improving intelligence sharing will be discussed again in Brussels later in the week when a two day EU leader's summit starts on Thursday.