BAGIS REMINDS EUROPEAN UNION'S "26 APRIL DECISION" RE ISOLATIONS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis met with Stefan Füle, the Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.

In the press meeting organized following the meeting held in the Ministry for EU Affairs, Bagis stated that, with the establishment of the Ministry for EU Affairs, it was once more confirmed how Turkey was determined to achieve its goal of becoming a member of the EU.

Bagis stated that the TGNA would continue to introduce reforms by fulfilling the expectations of the Turkish nation. Bagis emphasized that, as the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned, the reforms would be realized independently from the opening of the chapters.

Upon the question related to the enforcement of the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement, Bagis referred to the EU's decision about the lifting of the isolation applied to the Turkish Cypriots and said: "Turkey expects the EU's decision of 26 April 2004 to be implemented. Everyone knows the statement released by Turkey while signing the Additional Protocol. The Commission and the Member States also know. The governments both in the TRNC and the Southern Cyprus know this fact as well."

Bagis stated that the relations between Turkey and the EU are too important and strategic to be referred to within the context of obstacles and artificial discussions. Bagis said that the unfair pressure, obstacles and the Cyprus issue in the EU negotiation process should be removed.

Bagis stated that, for the revitalization of Turkey's accession negotiations, the European Commission should make efforts in the presence of the Member States. Bagis said: "Turkey is the key for the future of the EU and the EU is the key for the future of Turkey. Turkey can not accept being treated as an outsider by the EU. Turkey has always been one of the most highly regarded members in all platforms in which it has participated and will continue to be so in the future.

Stefan Füle, the Commissioner responsible for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, also expressed the satisfaction he felt due to the emphasis of the importance given to Turkey's EU accession process. Füle pointed out the increasing role of Turkey both in its region and in the world and he also emphasized the importance of this role for the EU.

Source: AA