"TURKISH NATION'S ROUTE HAS NEVER CHANGED FOR A THOUSAND YEARS"

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis delivered a speech at the opening of the panel and the meeting titled "EU Accession Negotiations: Today and Tomorrow" organised at Izmir Swiss Hotel Grand Efes on account of the completion of the 5th anniversary of "EU Training Programme of Aegean Leaders for Ideas" started in 2005 with the collaboration of Aegean Industrialists and Businessmen Association (ESIAD), Aegean Foundation for Developing Economy and Philip Morris/Sabanci.

Bagis indicated that those who agree with the argument that Turkey is having an axis shift must question Europe's axis and said:

"Turkish nation's route has never changed for a thousand years; neither there is an intention to change it, nor anyone can be able to deal with it." Bagis said that the claims about an axis shift were nothing but rubbish and stated that those who endeavour to sabotage the process should be identified correctly.

Stating that "the West must also discuss about its own axis", Bagis indicated the fact that some EU member states put political obstacles in each negotiation chapter and pointed to the fact that the investment made by the Western countries in the Middle East region was over that of Turkey. Bagis said: "The Western countries will build every kind of commercial relationship with the Middle East countries, but when it comes to Turkey, will they ask ‘is its axis shifting'?"

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that no one should suspect that Turkey's EU journey would end in membership.

Bagis called for the delegates of the political parties in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and said "If your claim concerning Turkey's mission about the West is sincere, come and try passing the required laws together with us."

Speaking about the relations with Israel, Bagis said: "the present crisis was not a bilateral diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel but it was a problem between Israel and the international community and therefore Turkey would immediately take steps before the international institutions. What we expect from Israel is an apology, a compensation of loss and abolishing the sanctions on Gaza".

Source: AA