EU IS OUR PRIORITY, CHANGE IN FOREIGN POLICY IS NOT AN OPTION

Having participated in the " Bosphorus Workshop" organized by TUSIAD and Institut du Bosphore on the main subject of "Turkey and the World: New Players, New Visions", Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis made a speech there and answered the questions later.

Stating that the most significant priority in the foreign policy of Turkey was negotiation process with the EU for full membership, Egemen Bagis said: "There is no change in Turkey's foreign policy, it is not true that Turkey has changed its course".

Stressing that polarization of the world was also against the EU spirit, Bagis continued his speech as follows:

"Polarization or split of the world into different areas cannot comply with the EU vision. Therefore, it is essential for the world to clearly recognize the role of Turkey for peace. We, whether as the ruling party or as the opposition party, have articulated for years and we can say that Turkey's direction is towards the west. What about the Europeans? Can they make commitments about their direction as straight and clear as we can? I think now Europe should discuss its own axis. We regard our common future as under the umbrella of EU. For that reason, if a new world order were to be formed, Turkey would take its place there and we predict that this order will be the EU membership. We expect Europe to recognize the importance of Turkey not like naughty children who perform all the things that the international system demands but as a country which states its opinions, discusses and stands behind the decisions taken, as well".

Indicating that Turkey has become more democratic, more contemporary, more modern, more prestigious and more transparent country day by day in this process, Bagis said:

"Personal income rates have increased, democratic barriers against people have disappeared, and it is obvious that the individuals have become freer. This is a crucial process both in respect of Turkey's domestic dynamics and in respect of its foreign dynamics. This is the first priority of Turkey. There is no question of an axial dislocation in Turkey or it is not true that Turkey has changed its course. Turkey has acted as a bridge between the East and the West for ages. All piers of a bridge should be strong if it is to be a reliable one. Today, Turkey is a country which carries out its full membership negotiations with the EU. Despite all the obstacles from the Europeans, it is a country that continues this process with determination. It is a country which implements this process by resisting the dynamics opposing some changes in and wishing that the state were governed by the gangs as in the past. Turkey also serves as the Secretary General for the Organization of Islamic Conference; it is a member of UN

Security Council and holds the co-presidency of Alliance of Civilizations Project, one of the most significant projects of UN. Turkey is about to undertake the presidency of European Council. For the first time in history, the President of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is a Turk.'

Stating that Turkey was a member of states of G-20 which directed the world economy, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said: "Turkey is also a peace center which stands between different countries."

Source: AA