9 MAY EUROPE DAY MESSAGE FROM EGEMEN BAGIS

Delivering a written message on the occasion of 9 May Europe Day, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that difficulties would never discourage Turkey in its EU process and added "these difficulties may weaken enthusiasm of us and our nation but they can never intimidate us."

Minister Bagis reminded that the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, which constitutes the basis of the idea of European integration and which is one of the most important peace projects in the history, would be celebrated.

Indicating that the European Union project of our country was one of the most important steps to be taken on the way of reaching the level of modern civilizations, the target established by the founder of our republic, the Great Leader Ataturk, Bagis said that Ataturk was amongst the first leaders who spoke about European integration in 1930s when there were gloomy circumstances in the world. More importantly, he looked on the idea with favor considering Turkey.

Stating that the remarkable progresses achieved in Turkey's EU process in the last 9 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he added "We took important steps that range from opening the full membership negotiations to realizing the fundamental political reforms, from strengthening the institutional capacity of the Secretariat General for the European Union Affairs which is the first of the EU process to including different sections of society to the process. As Turkish Prime Minister said 'the country preserved its determination for membership just like the very first day.'"

Pointing out that the state of affairs regarding the negotiation process does not reflect the developments Turkey has achieved due to the obstacles unfortunately raised by some EU member states with fully domestic political concerns, Bagis stated that they expressed in all platforms that a fair negotiation process independent of political obstacles was expected and also stated in all occasions to abolish the visa applying to the Turkish citizens which did not have a legal foundation. Bagis indicated that they needed more cooperation to combat terrorism.

Saying "These difficulties may weaken enthusiasm of us and our nation but they can never intimidate us", Bagis remarked that the member states had also some problems during the accession process, but each new member state both made the Union and the country itself much stronger. Describing Turkey's EU adhesion as a "win-win" relationship, Bagis also said that such process would make Turkey more democratic, prosperous and stronger.

On this occasion, Minister Bagis celebrated the Europe Day of Turkish and European citizens.