TIME IS FOR TURKEY IN TERMS OF THE EU ACCESSION PROCESS

The Meeting of Istanbul Board of EU Harmonization, Consultation and Guidance was held at the Eminonu Public Training Center with the participation of Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis.

In his speech he delivered at the meeting, Egemen Bagis said that Istanbul was a summary of Turkey and that each work carried out in Istanbul was closely followed in Europe and in every part of the world.

Sating that Istanbul was a solution to the integration problem of the EU, Bagis said Istanbul, whose Mayor was sent to prison 10 years ago for reading a poem, today became the cultural capital of Europe, and a city where important projects were introduced.

Indicating that they attached importance to Istanbul for that reason; Bagis emphasized that they didn't want the EU process to be followed only in Istanbul, Izmir and in Ankara, and that 81 provinces and whole citizens of the country will participate in this different life model of EU when we become a member.

Emphasizing that they wouldn't let fruitless polarizations to consume the energy of people, Bagis said "Everyone in this country needs the EU process. We, all together have to rescue our country from artificial debates and the EU is the shortest way to do this."

Stating that Turkey needed to catch up with the change, Bagis said the 15th greatest economy of the world was still being managed through a Trade Law which was written with the thought patterns of 1940s.

Bagis said it was their duty to remove any doubt citizens may have concerning the EU process, and continued as follows:

"Today, Europe reached a level where it cannot solve many of its problems without Turkey's contributions. Time is for Turkey. Europe's need for Turkey increases each passing day. Thus, Turkey, as a wealthier and more prosperous country, shows to the whole world that it can also manage without Europe.

Yet, this process is established on the "win-win" principle. Turkey has earned many things in the process and will continue to do so in the coming period. However, the EU also has important successes. For this reason, first we should believe in this process, and then convince Europe. Turkey doesn't attain success easily in any field. We have to be patient. We can overcome all the difficulties with patience. I believe that, in the coming period, not ours, but their efforts to convince us would increase."

Source: AA