THE ONLY THING THAT WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR TURKEY'S PROGRESS IS THE REFORMS

Egemen Bagis, Minister for EU Affairs and the Chief Negotiator, met with the members of the Association of Economy Journalists and in his speech, he touched upon Turkey's EU membership process by stating that the concepts such as privileged or qualified partnership or a different type of membership status did not even have a part in the acquis and therefore they focused on the targets tightly.

Bagis noted that the government had implemented the necessary reforms and he added that they had realized them in order to provide Turkish citizens with the standards they deserve but not to please the authorized people in the EU.

Bagis said that some of the demoralising statements of the politicians in Europe, were temporary speeches and that they did not possess any permanence. Bagis said: "Moreover, the foreigners who oppose Turkey's EU membership, state that they were expecting tenders from the Turkish economy."

Stating that the time was proceeding in favour of Turkey, Bagis continued his speech with these:

"It is obvious that there will be problems within our country. But, Turkey has managed to overcome many problems. Within this framework, we should go beyond these problems by collaborating with the opposing parties. However, it is sometimes difficult to find out where the border is between the opposing parties and the gangs. With an opposition party defending the people who have been arrested on account of keeping munitions and arms and who have a tendency to abolish the government, it is not an easy process for Turkey to become a country in democratic standards and in EU standards. Everyone may make mistakes but giving up these mistakes should be regarded as a virtue. I hope that the leaders of the opposing parties contribute to Turkey's becoming a more democratic, transparent and developed country. I hope that no more blood is shed in Turkey. No one should be anxious about the future in Turkey.

Source: AA