BAGIS DELIVERS A CONFERENCE AT THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

Paying an official visit to Dublin, the capital of Ireland, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis delivered a conference titled "Europe's New Challenges and Turkey" at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA).

Bagis, mentioning that Turkey is "very hopeful" about Ireland's EU presidency that it will undertake on 1st January, said "We hope that Ireland will bring the EU foundation principles into action again. We need the creativity of Ireland. The Ireland presidency will be a historical turning point." Minister Bagis, emphasizing that Turkey when entering the EU would transform this project from a regional peace project to a global one, stated that with the presidency of Francois Hollande, a change had been witnessed in the attitude of France towards Turkey's EU membership. Bagis said "We are grateful to the French voters for sending (Nicolas) Sarkozy back to fishing." Bagis mentioned that Turkey as a democratic and secular country with a majority of Muslims would contribute to the re-identification of the European identity.

Minister Bagis, underlining the potential to improve the Turkey-Ireland relations, pointed the potential of cooperation in many fields such as tourism, technology and economy.

In his speech Bagis also pointed at Turkey's economic potential and young population, noted that Turkey was the fastest growing economy in Europe and the 3rd in worldwide. Besides Turkey's contributions to the EU, the EU membership process has also benefits for Turkey.

Minister Bagis, had a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore and also with the Minister of the EU of Ireland, Lucinda Creighton.

Source: AA