“THE EU MEMBERSHIP IS A STRATEGIC TARGET FOR TURKEY”

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis attended the 3rd Turkey-EU Ministerial Political Dialogue Meeting which was held in Istanbul.

During the press conference held after the 3rd Turkey-EU- Ministerial Political Dialogue Meeting organised at Four Seasons Hotel with the participation of Minister Bagis, himself, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Füle, Minister Bagis said that the EU membership was a strategic target for Turkey and the reformist steps taken on this path made Turkey a more democratic, transparent, prosperous, credible and self confident country.

Egemen Bagis said, “Being appreciated by the Commission with the Positive Agenda as an indicator of Turkey’s determination makes us all happy”. Stating that in that context, working groups in 8 different chapters which were blocked due to political reasons would be formed, works on visa issue, political reforms, energy, fight against terrorism and opportunities of delegating Turkish experts in the EU Commission were ongoing, Minister Bagis said “Maybe there are narrow minded politicians within the EU who think that they can block Turkey’s EU bid. We all follow their being sent to holiday by their own voters and their being retired.”

Sources: AA, CHA