BAGIS EXPLAINED PROJECTS OF THE TURKISH NATIONAL AGENCY

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis expressed, on the occasion of 19 May Youth and Sports Day, in a TV program on NTV that how the lives of young people are influenced by the projects carried out by the Turkish National Agency of the Ministry for EU Affairs. 

Bagis stated that the projects carried out by the Turkish National Agency showed that Turkish citizens were at peace with the world. Furthermore, indicating that the young people involved in the projects travelled to Europe and could advance their careers based on the experiences they gained in Europe, Bagis expressed that the participants might also eliminate the prejudices about Europe in Turkey. He also added, “The projects have shown that the citizens of this country are self-confident and at peace with the world.”

Stating that 70 percent of the funding of the projects is met by EU funds, Bagis also said that:

“As a candidate country, Turkey receives a grant of 4.9 billion Euros from the 2006-2013 EU budget. A part of this grant is used for these projects. For instance, solid waste sorting facilities were established in 35 provinces. EU funding was also obtained even for Istanbul-Ankara high speed railway project. 120 million Euros was used for Köseköy section of the project.