"TURKEY'S ACCESSION TO THE EU IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE NEEDS OF EUROPE THAN THOSE OF TURKEY"

Egemen Bagis, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, who visited Austria to participate in the Europe Alpbach Forum, met with Michael Spindelegger, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Selim Yenel, Ambassador for Turkey in Vienna, and the members of the council of both countries were also present in the meeting.

Delivering a speech after the meeting, Bagis stated that they evaluated the bilateral relations, Turkey's negotiation process and the reform efforts made in the last seven months.

Stating that he had informed the relevant person about the democratic initiative that was being discussed, Bagis said that he explained, "More than its importance for the needs of Turkey, Turkey's EU membership is of utmost importance in terms of the needs of Europe.

Bagis stated that he informed the other party on the reform efforts, the publication of the national program, restitution of citizenship rights of Nazim Hikmet, the publication of the strategy document on judicial reform, the publication of the strategy document on anti-corruption efforts, amendment of the customs law and elevation of the customs to the European standards, the proclamation of the May Day as a national holiday, broadcasts of TRT-6 in Kurdish language, intended broadcasts in Kurdish and Armenian languages in TRT radios, the establishment of a Men and Women Equal Opportunity Commission in the parliament, and the positive signals in the relations with Armenia, and said "All these processes are closely watched by the EU."

Bagis stated that the meeting was " extremely constructive," and that the other party also expressed that they "attributed great importance to the fact that Turkey faces her own problems."

Source: AA