"JUNE 12 WILL BE A TURNING POINT"

Indicating that 12 June would be a very important turning point in Turkey, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said, "12 June will mark the beginning of a period during which the national will strengthens and personal freedoms of each citizen of this country becomes constitutionally guaranteed."

In his speech he delivered during his visit to Taksim Sports Club in Ferikoy in Istanbul, Egemen Bagis said, "That is the patriotism. That is Kurd, Turk, Circassian, Laz, Armenian, Assyrian, Christian, Jew, Muslim, rightist, leftist, military, police, and civilian uniting on the common ground of this country. Such faith and determination with love of Turkey is the only possible way to overcome our problems. Turkey's path to the European Union will be cleared of obstacles only through such collaboration and determination."

Noting that Turkey was able to become the 16th biggest economy in the world when it used to be the 26th biggest, Egemen Bagis said, "We say that we can take our place among the 10 strongest economies in the world. To achieve this, we should all be able to cry out to the whole world that we consider differences in this country as richness."

Emphasizing that they entered the period of mastership after the periods of apprenticeship and foremanship, Bagis stated that they could now announce together the objectives of the year 2023, which is 12 years later, and said, "I consider this state of affairs in our country very positive."