OUR GOAL IS TO COMPLETE EU REFORMS TILL THE END OF 2013

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis replied the questions of press members at the joint press meeting held after the meeting with Latvia's Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins in Riga, the last stop of his visit to Baltic countries.

Upon the question whether he could provide an accurate schedule for the completion of EU reforms in Turkey or not, Egemen Bagis said "Our goal is to complete EU reforms till at the end of 2013. Our government is very determined on this issue. Our government is decisive to adopt the required laws on this matter and we expect more support from opposing parties."

Minister Bagis stated that he had paid a visit to Latvia for NATO Summit before, and the purpose of this visit was to show appreciation to the Latvian government and Latvian people for their support to Turkey's EU negotiations, and he added that tourism relationship between Turkey and Latvia had been increasing progressively.

Stating that Turkish contractors undertook 300 million Euro of business in Latvia and that the airport was going to be constructed by a Turkish company, Bagis also underlined that there were great opportunities in Latvia for Turkish businessmen.

Meeting also with the chairperson of European Affairs Committee of the Latvian Parliament Vaira Paegle, Bagis attended the luncheon hosted by Paegle in the honor of himself and after that met with the Vice President of Latvian EU Projection Group Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Latvian member of EU Parliament Krisjanis Karins.

Source: AA