PREJUDICE IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE

Egemen Bagis, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, held a reception in honour of the participants of the European Movement Istanbul Congress, and delivered a speech on the EU process. Stefan Füle, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, and Pat Cox, the Former President of European Parliament also attended the Congress.

At the reception held in the Marmara Hotel, Istanbul, Minister Bagis said he was very happy to host his guests in Istanbul, namely, his electoral district, and that it was considerably meaningful for Istanbul, as the most western part of the east and the most eastern part of the west, to host the European Movement Istanbul Congress.

Bagis also referred to messages of the EU leaders and said "The farsighted leaders of the EU give the message of coexistence. Istanbul is one of the most prominent cities where people from different cultures, religions and backgrounds live together in harmony. All these differences are considered to be richness, and coexistence is practiced in Istanbul."

Bagis reminded that the idea to make a change in the political structure of the European Advisory Council was addressed in 16 August 1946, and indicated that Turkish leaders of the time had emphasized the need to establish a union.

Minister Bagis said the following:

"Turkish people progress in their EU path in determination. It is obvious that prejudice is the biggest obstacle to Turkey's full membership. We still have the aim to establish a powerful union. I am happy to see leaders with vision, such as Füle and Cox."

Source: AA