CHAPTER 23 WORKING GROUP MEETS

Within the scope of Positive Agenda, Working Group Meeting on Chapter 23 was held with the participation of Egemen Bagis, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Sadullah Ergin, Minister of Justice and Stefan Füle, Commissioner responsible for enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy.

Reminding at his speech that 17 May 2012 would be recalled as a turning point in Turkey’s relations with the EU; Minister Bagis said that in line with the decision of the EU Commission, the Chapters 23 and 24 became more important than the others.

Remarking that the EU Commission would not open another chapter unless other chapters were opened, Minister Bagis said:

“As a country that opened 13 chapters before, Turkey has submitted 3 different judicial reform packages to the TGNA and is working on the 4th one. Turkey’s determination is clearly obvious. This working group today will contribute to Turkey’s efforts during the period of progress which we will carry out together with the Commission. On this opportunity, I would like to share with you that our next Reform Monitoring Group Meeting will be hosted by the Minister of Interior in Ordu on 8 June 2012. What is important is not to open the chapters but to make the minds work better. What is important is to increase the living standards of Turkish citizens. What is more important is to make Turkey a more democratic, prosperous, credible and a self-confident country.