TURKEY HAD NEVER BEEN SO STRONG AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE

Indicating that the referendum on 12 September contributed substantially to Turkey's image in Europe, Minister for EU Affairs and the Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said, "Turkey had never been so powerful at the negotiating table in its fifty-one year long relations with the European Union."

Answering the questions of the journalists at the joint reception to mark the national days of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Bagis noted that the referendum contributed substantially to Turkey's image in the European Union.

Indicating that they would visit Brussels having the support of a great part of the society from now on, Bagis said:

"The results of the referendum contributed greatly to Turkey's image in Europe. Turkey had never sat at the negotiating table this much powerful before in its fifty-one year long relations with the European Union. We will now go to Brussels having gained the support of a great part of the society and with the will of the society to have more democracy, transparency and a Constitution at the EU standards. We now have a good opportunity to convey to the representatives of different political parties, Commission and member states how realistic an objective Turkey's full membership is. We hope to take the necessary steps and pass the necessary laws in the EU process together and in cooperation with the opposition in the forthcoming period. I hope that Turkey will make much progress in the forthcoming EU process."

Source: AA