SOLIDARITY CHAPTER OPENS

European Union granted 10 million TL to the Turkish Red Crescent to be used in the construction of temporary housing units for the people who became homeless after Van earthquake. In the signature ceremony hosted by the Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, the grant contract was signed by Marc Pierini, the Head of the Delegation European Commission to Turkey, and Turkish Red Crescent Director General, Ahmet Lutfi Akar.

In his statement regarding the signature ceremony, Bagis said that the EU had used every means to share the sorrow of the Turkish nation and to meet the sheltering needs of the earthquake survivors in Van. Declaring that the EU had granted 10 million Turkish Lira, Bagis added: “Today, we have gathered for a very meaningful occasion. We are opening the chapter on solidarity with the EU, which is perhaps the most important chapter of the negotiations”

Thanking for the sensitivity of the European Commission, Bagis stated that as well as the material value of the aid, its moral value was also very important. He added: “Turkish nation never forgets the favours done”.

Stating that some things multiply when shared, Bagis said:

"I have been deeply affected by the brotherhood feeling in our country experienced after the earthquake. 80 provinces of Turkey have mobilized their resources for Van. Now, Turkey is not only the hope of the people in need all around the world, but also proved to have a great brotherhood. We are the community of the Prophet who said that ‘he who sleeps on a full stomach while his neighbour goes hungry is not one of us’ To help the ones in need is the characteristic of this geography, of this land and of this nation."

Saying that Turkey had become united for Van, Bagis declared his hope that the EU’s decisiveness after Van earthquake would continue in the negotiations process and obstacles of political exploitation would be eradicated.

Pierini, the Head of the Delegation European Commission to Turkey said: “Now, we have opened the chapter on solidarity. This will perhaps be the most rightful chapter in the EU-Turkey relations.”

Source: AA