"WE SHOULD BE READY FOR THE EU APPOINTMENT"

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief negotiator Egemen Bagis hosted a coordination meeting with executives of public institution and organizations and EU contact points to discuss what Turkey can do during the Swedish presidency of the EU.

Delivering a speech at the meeting held in the Secretariat General for EU Affairs, Bagis reminded that as of today, Sweden had taken over the rotating presidency of the union and that it differentiated from other countries in the EU with seven political parties in their parliament clearly supporting Turkey's EU full membership target.

Bagis stated that the coordination meeting was important for Turkey to emphasize its determination on full EU membership.

Summarizing the steps Turkey took on the way to EU in 2009, Bagis said that there were very important political reforms to be carried out in the forthcoming period.

Saying that it gave him hope that all the parties represented in the parliament supported the law on the organization of the SGEU; Bagis said "We are entering an era in which we can work together on the EU issue though we have different opinions. Good use should be made of this situation."

Bagis also gave information on the "EU Law", "Translation Coordination" and "Communication and Civil Society" units and EU Communication Strategy.

Stating that the EU process wasn't an easy journey, Bagis said "There is no country that started negotiations and wasn't able to finish them. Turkey will never give up its target, and Turkey's sole target is EU full membership. We will not accept any other option than full membership."

Reiterating that Turkey should be ready for its EU appointment, Bagis said "Some oppose groups in Turkey and some political intrigues in the EU may try to prevent Turkey from fulfilling its EU full membership target. However the promises made since 1959 are promises related with Turkey' full membership target, and pacta sunt servanta is one of the most important rules of the EU."

Bagis said "Turkey can be a member of the EU when it is ready, as how 18 million East Germans entered the EU overnight without even meeting any opening and closing criteria. I never doubted this and will never doubt. However we have to be ready for that appointment. I expect all our institutions to do their part with determination and resolution under this framework."

Minister for EU Affairs Bagis also said that nothing could obstruct Turkey's EU integration process in case Turkey is one step ahead.

Resource: AA