THE IMAGE OF TURKEY AND ITS EU ACCESSION

Within his official visit to Berlin, Germany, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, delivered the opening speech at the seminar “Communicating Turkey: The Image of Turkey and Its EU Accession” organized within the scope of Turkey-EU Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) meeting.

Noting that it was extremely meaningful to organize the JAC meeting in Germany where over 3 million Turks lived, Bagis said “ There is a Turkish proverb that says “One who asked for advice crossed over the mountain, one who didn't lost his way” meaning ‘it is better to ask the way than go astray’. Now we are struggling with those who attempt to impede Turkey’s negotiation process without consulting Turkey, which is decisive about overcoming difficulties through consultation. However, Turkey who favors consultation will be the winner in the end and will disappoint those who attempt to impede our country’s EU accession.”

Stating that prejudices was the most important obstacle to Turkey’s EU accession, Bagis noted that along with the negotiations between governments and parliaments, attempts of non-governmental organizations mattered in challenging those prejudices, and that communication among citizens had important contributions to Turkey’s accession process.”

In his speech Minister Bagis mentioned the initiated negotiations on visa exemption with the EU and he said "I ask of you to continue with your devoted and brave endeavours and raise your voices even louder. When this is over, I mean when we gain visa exemption, the word "expatriates" will vanish, longings will be over and German Turks will enjoy their brotherhood fully in their motherland."

Referring the terrorism issue, Bagis stated that they knew that in the EU member countries terrorist organizations gather money by different names, by blackmailing and by threating  and he said "The worst part is that PKK kills my citizens with bullets but they also poison Europe’s population with drugs." Bagis also noted that Turkey was waiting for unconditional support to combat against terrorism from its European allies.

Minister Bagis had also meetings with Germany's Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle and Chairman of the German Bundestag Committee on the Affairs of the EU Gunther Krichbaum during his visits in Berlin.

Source:  AA