EGEMEN BAGIS “TURKEY IS MORE STABLE THAN MANY EU COUNTRİES”

Egemen Bagis responded to AA correspondent, Ali Ozturk’s questions in Athens, where he was attending the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE ) Political Affairs and Democracy Commission meeting.

Mr Bagis stated that Greece is one of the countries that supports Turkey’s EU accession process. But Greece’s enforcement power is limited, despite the EU being a formation of 28 nations, and Greece’s presidency of the council of the European Union. Mr Bagis made the following comments: ‘We know Greece is trying to assist in opening some of the chapters for Turkey's progress to EU accession. Uncertainty in Europe due to economic crisis, European Parliament elections, contention between the political parties in Europe, have caused the block of Turkey’s EU accession process. Nevertheless, Turkey is taking the necessary steps. Turkey is more stable than many EU countries and continuing to grow. ‘

Mr Bagis pointed at the important reforms in Turkey that have occurred over the past 10 years, and the countries on the east of Turkey are inspired by Turkey’s democracy, human rights and freedom of expression.

Egemen Bagis also talked about the currently unused Ottoman mosques. Mr Bagis said he believes Greek people are tolerant in this regard but Greek politicians are not able to take the brave steps in order to open the mosques again.

Mr Bagis reminded that many MPs from Western Thrace were elected to the Greek Parliament. "These people , even if they are ethnically Turkish Muslims are citizens of Greece.” said Mr Bagis. He said people should be able to live in this country equally without distinction of ethnicity, language and religion.

'I hope that the Greek government will take the bold steps. as Turkey has done, to resolve these issues.' said Egemen Bagis at the end of the interview.