BAGIS POINTS OUT TURKEY'S IMPORTANCE IN THE NETHERLANDS

Paying a visit to the Netherlands, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis indicated that they informed the Dutch authorities and public about Turkey's probable EU accession and that they carried out an intense and successful program.

Within the framework of his Hague contacts Bagis met with Ben Knapen, Minister for EU Affairs and International Cooperation, Uri Rosenthal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Rene van der Linden, the President of the Senate of the States General.

"We discussed Turkey's EU accession process and the unfair visa implementations against Turkish citizens" said Bagis and indicated that they addressed the fight against terrorism and added that "Turkey expected more support on the issue."

Egemen Bagis indicated that during the visit, they assessed the EU process and he tried to explain the contributions of Turkey's accession to the Union. Bagis said they tried to increase Turkey's friends in the Netherlands and relieve the concerns regarding Turkey's accession.

After his Hague contacts, Bagis went to Amsterdam and attended "Turkey: The Missing Star" event, which aims to promote Turkish culture and arts in European countries.

In the breakfast held by the Netherlands office of the European Turkish Democratic Union (UETD), Bagis came together with Turkish nationals and the representatives of non-governmental organizations in Amsterdam. Minister Bagis also delivered a speech at the conference titled "Turkey-EU Relations and the Netherlands" held by Turkish Businessman Association (HOTİAD).

Source: AA