"TURKEY IS A REMEDY TO CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS WHICH IS THE NIGHTMARE OF EVERYBODY"

Attending the 17th Annual EU-Turkey Conference of Journalists organized in Istanbul with the cooperation of Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey, and the EU Institute of Istanbul Bilgi University; Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis emphasized that Europe would be incomplete without Turkey.

Bagis declared that Turkey was a full member to all of the European institutions except the EU. He added: "Turkey is the most westerner country in the Orient and most oriental country in the West. Therefore, we act as a bridge and peacemaker".

Emphasizing that Turkey played an important role in developing relations among the countries in the region and also took place in Alliance of Civilizations together with Spain; Bagis added:

"With regard to Cyprus issue, United Nations blamed Turkey 20-30 years ago, for being invasionist but later on apologized and accepted Turkey as a member of Security Council; because it had been clearly understood that the party blocking the solution in the island is not Turkey. Turkey is a remedy to clash of civilizations and will continue to play an important role. "

Bagis stated that Turkey with its mostly Muslim, young and dynamic population was a country ensuring the coexistence of democracy and Islamic culture. He added: "churches, mosques and synagogues have existed together for more than 800 years in Istanbul. In the streets where my children grow up, we live together with the Armenian, Muslim, Christian, Hebrew, Alevi, Sunni people, believers and non-believers. In every religious holiday or holy days of each religion children make celebrations, and get presents. That will be the biggest contribution of Turkey to the EU."

Bagis pointed that Turkey would play an important role in the issues before Europe like energy security, illegal immigration, drug trafficking, old population, and need for a new market. He added: "I believe that this great meeting will be realized. This meeting will be realized when Turkey becomes an EU Member. All the countries which started the negotiations completed the process. Turkey will also not be an exception."

Bagis also stated that Turkey should also be prepared and at the end of the process Turkey would have higher standards. He also mentioned the publication of the National Programme prepared in 2009, assignment of a Chief Negotiator who is solely responsible for the EU negotiations, realization of the contacts with the high ranking officials, launch of Kurdish channel, and approval of 1 May as a public holiday.

Source: AA