BAGIS LISTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF TURKEY

Paying an official visit to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, Chief Negotiator and Minister for EU Affairs, Egemen Bagis defined Turkey's demands and expectations from the EU under the following five headings: "Fair negotiation process, facilitation of visa procedures for Turkish citizens, solution for the Cyprus issue, sincere cooperation in the fight against terrorism and invitation of Turkey to EU Summits."

Expressing that Turkey would be ready for full membership by the turn of 2013-2014, Minister Bagis requested a fair negotiation process from the EU, and he pointed out that Turkey should go through the same stages as the other countries, and the obstacles not placed to other candidates should not be placed for Turkey.

Within the framework of the visits at Bratislava, Minister for EU Affairs Bagis met with Mikulas Dzurinda, Slovakian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and at the joint press conference held, he thanked for the Slovakian support to Turkey's negotiation process.

Minister Dzurinda indicated that they supported Turkey's efforts in meeting the EU accession criteria and they were ready to share their own experiences with Turkey.

Meeting also with Milan Jezovica, Secretary of State for EU Affairs of Slovakia, Minister Bagis communicated Turkey's demands from the EU which he summarized as "Fair negotiation process, facilitation of visa procedures for Turkish citizens, solution for the Cyprus issue, sincere cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and invitation of Turkey to EU Summits".

Noting that both the government and the opposition in Slovakia supported Turkey's EU membership bid, Jezovica said that Turkey's demands from the EU were rightful and he promised to support Turkey within the EU.

Minister Bagis also met with Rudolf Chmel, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights and Minorities, members of Slovak Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and of the European Commission within the context of the Slovakia visit.

Declaring that the political blocks on Turkey's EU negotiation process should be removed, Minister for EU Affairs, Bagis requested support from the members of the Commission.

Source: AA