"THERE IS NO SUCH CONCEPT AS PRIVILIGED PARTNERSHIP IN THE EU ACQUIS"

Stating that EU acquis did not contain any notion such as ‘privileged partnership', Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said "Turkey will never accept this. Our goal is full membership."

Hosting a cruise diner on the Bosphorus in the honor of the members of the Enlargement Group of the European Council, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said the group consisting of people from 27 countries responsible for enlargement in the EU carried out a very important task and that enlargement was an important issue in the EU.

Bagis pointed that the members of the group should think big and reasonable and that Turkey was a part of the solution to foreign and security policy, energy security, fight against terrorism and illegal immigration and that Europe could overcome these problems easier with Turkey.

Stating that in order to solve these complicated problems Europe would need Turkey more and more in the future , Bagis said Turkey's EU membership wasn't only Turkey's concern but had an international dimension as well.

Bagis stated that the reforms carried out within this process satisfied the people and made Turkey a more democratic and liberal country and that this was for the benefit of both Turkey and Europe. Recalling that only one third of the chapters were opened so far, Bagis said "It is important to open chapters but reform process is more important. Do not hinder us. We do not expect a special support from you, just do not hinder. Do not block our way. Give Turkey a chance."

Emphasising that the EU acquis did not contain any notion such as "privileged partnership", Bagis said "there is no sense in working for a non-existent notion. We consider this notion as something derogatory. Turkey will never accept it. Our goal is full membership."

Bagis emphasised that the reform process would be continued seriously with the democratic initiative efforts in the forthcoming period. Bagis stated that the efforts they made in the EU accession process should be appreciated and said "See and admit what we do. One should not act as if we are not doing anything. It is important for us that what we do is seen and appreciated."

Source: AA