MINISTER FOR EU AFFAIRS AND CHIEF NEGOTIATOR EGEMEN BAGIS RECEIVES THE CO-CHAIRPERSON OF GERMAN GREENS PARTY OZDEMIR

Egemen Bagis, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator received the co-chairperson of German Greens Party, Cem Ozdemir at the Secretariat General for EU Affairs. German Ambassador to Ankara, Eckart Cuntz, was also present at the meeting.

In his speech at the acceptance, Bagis said that Ozdemir with his activities at the European Parliament as well as his contributions to the political life in Germany is a model proving that the Turkish people living abroad can become respected citizens who can add values to the country they are living in.

Bagis stated that they regarded Turkish citizens especially living in EU states as ambassadors in the accession period and added Ozdemir was also one of them.

Stating that Ozdemir's becoming the chairperson of one of the leading political parties in Germany was an important development; Bagis said that this gave him hope for the coming twenty years time. Bagis spoke of his belief in Ozdemir to have important contributions to Germany's and world's politics as a person who has fully integrated without being assimilated.

In his speech Ozdemir stated that this was his first visit to Turkey after having taken on new post.

Stating that as a young and dynamic politician, Bagis' appointment to the task was an important message for EU, Ozdemir said the message indicated that Turkey was serious in the EU path and wanted to progress without being misled. Ozdemir said that the message was welcomed by the EU and together with the appointment of Egemen Bagis, the EU efforts also became intensive.

Stating that, as an ambassador, he tried to express Turkey in Germany and Europe in Turkey to the public opinion, Ozdemir said there could be prejudices and misunderstandings time to time, however, he added that the tasks of the politicians were to struggle with the prejudices and to foreground the common points.

Resource: AA