ANKARA UNITES ON THE PATH TO EU

The opening meeting of “The Capital Unites on the Path to EU” project which is supported within the scope of “Provinces Preparing for the EU” programme conducted by the Ministry for European Union Affairs was held in Ankara with the participation of Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis and Governor of Ankara Alaaddin Yuksel.

In his speech at the meeting, Minister for EU Affairs Bagis stated that no one had the right to question the European identity of Turkey and indicating that some people in Europe made statements such as “We call a cat as cat”, Bagis said, “We wait for those same Europeans also call a terrorist as terrorist and treat a terrorist as a terrorist. Because the Europeans must not forget that the security of Berlin, Paris and Brussels depends on the security of Sirnak and Batman.”

Stating that the EU process was more important than the result for Turkey, Bagis noted that they took more decisive steps every passing day and that although some circles could slow down Turkey’s negotiation process with their blockages, this would be of no use other than stimulating the reform process.

Indicating that Turkey was now a player in a different league and Ankara was at a different point among the world capitals, Bagis stated that the process of EU negotiations coincided with the process of Turkey’s passport becoming the most valued passport in the region.

Noting that Ankara which acted as the standard-bearer of Turkish War of Independence now led another struggle for development, democratization, transparency and demilitarization, Bagis said that Ankara was therefore ready for the EU.

Source: AA