20th ANNIVERSARY OF JEAN MONNET SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Minister for EU affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, as the host of the celebration ceremony of the 20th anniversary of Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme which was held in Ankara CER Modern, said that Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme through which 1260 scholarship holders were educated in 20 years was the best functioning programme between the EU and Turkey.

Indicating that scholarship holders of Jean Monnet Scholarship Programme, which was carried out by the Secretariat General for EU Affairs for raising personnel specialized in the field of EU within the framework of Turkey's target to be an EU member, were natural members of Turkey's accession negotiations delegation and ambassadors of Turkey, Bagis stated that Jean Monnet had emphasised the importance of dialogue among people from different countries and dialogue was an important means for removing prejudices.

Minister Bagis said that Turkey, despite all preventions, was progressing towards its target to be an EU member state and would be a dignified member of the EU and Turkey served best for the purpose of the integration of Europe which was pursued by Jean Monnet from whom the Programme takes its name.

Stating that it was no doubt that Turkey was in Europe and European and a natural member of the European family, Bagis said that Turkey which was represented in the Council of Europe, European Investment Bank and European Security and Cooperation Organisation would take its place in the EU also.

Source: AA