Bagis brands "positive agenda" diplomatic success

ANKARA

Turkey's EU minister has named the "positive agenda" process launched between Turkey and EU a "diplomatic success" and said Turkey would continue to take decisive steps for its EU bid during the upcoming Irish presidency.
Turkish EU Minister & Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis attended Tuesday a daily editorial meeting of Anadolu Agency (AA) and replied to questions on Turkey's EU adhesion process, as well as latest developments on domestic and international matters. 
In response to a question on the contributions of the recently launched "positive agenda" to the EU negotiation process, Bagis said, prior to the positive agenda, there had been the impression that Turkey would completely cut its ties with the union during the Greek Cypriot rotating presidency.
"On the contrary, we have achieved a certain progress during the Greek Cypriot presidency which had not been seen over the last 30 years," he said.
"Positive agenda is definitely not an alternative to membership negotiations, however, it is a bridge that helps us overcome the obstacles before our membership talks," he noted.
He said working groups on politically-stalled chapters had been formed and talks on visa exemption had started as part of the positive agenda.
"This is a process that we obligated the European Union to create in an effort to overcome the obstacles introduced on our EU path for the past 60 years. This is Turkey's diplomatic success," Bagis said.
Bagis also said he had been holding talks with Irish officials for some time, and as of January 2013, when Ireland took over EU's rotating presidency, relations between Turkey and the union's new term president would have already started.
"We will continue to take decisive steps during the upcoming Irish presidency in order to achieve remarkable progress in our EU process," he said.

Cyprus issue

Upon a question on Cyprus issue, Bagis said there were many alternatives for the solution of the Cyprus conflict, however, Turkey supported the formation of a single state comprising of two founder states with political equity.

"Bringing together these two states under the roof of a single state but letting them preserve their internal mechanisms could communicate a very significant message to the world and bring along remarkable contributions to both sides," he said.
Bagis said he hoped a comprehensive and lasting solution could be achieved in the island.
"Until now, the Greek Cypriot party has rejected all our proposals for a solution, has not offered any alternative ways and acted like a spoiled child. Europe is also fed up with that. I believe they will also push for a solution," he said.
Commenting on the upcoming UEFA Europa League game to be played between Turkey's Fenerbahce and the Greek Cypriot AEL Limassol FC, Bagis said he was concerned about the safety issue due to the problems witnessed in several sports events in the past.
 "If the Greek Cypriot party will have difficulties to ensure security prior to the game with Fenerbahce, I recommend them to ask for help from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). I am sure TRNC would respond to such a demand. Some keep asking if a country could ask for help from a country that it does not recognize. They feel free to demand water and electricity when necessary, why not request help with security?," the minister said.  
Bagis also said the Greek Cypriot administration was the only EU-member state that did not impose an economic embargo on TRNC.
The minister said Greek Cypriots freely engaged in commercial activities with Turkish Cypriots and that showed how the two communities could live in harmony together. 

Turkey's interest in EU not affected by Arab Spring 

Turkish EU minister has said Arab Spring had not caused Turkey lose its interest in the European Union, on the contrary, Turkey's relations with the East and the West strengthened one another.

"Turkey's deepening its relations with the East strengthens its ties with the West, and vice versa, its enriching relations with the West contributes to ties with the East. These two elements support and complement each other," EU Minister Egemen Bagis told participants of an editorial meeting of Anadolu Agency (AA), where he replied to questions on domestic and international matters, on Tuesday. 
Bagis noted that Europeans closely monitored Turkey's role in the ongoing process in the Middle East.
"What happened in the recent term shows once again that Turkey is the most western state of the East and the most eastern state of the West," he said. 
Responding to a question on criticisms concerning the shift in Turkey's Syria policy, Bagis said principles in Turkey's foreign policy remained the same. "We pursue a policy based on peace, human rights and the right to live," he said. 
"What has changed with our policy towards Syria is the number of people killed by the Syrian regime," he continued.
The minister said Turkey could never support a state that bombed its own people, adding such a country should be warned by its neighbors, allies and friends.

Death sentence to al-Hashemi

   
Commenting on a Baghdad court's sentencing Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi to death by hanging, Bagis said such decision was political, not legal.
"Al-Hashemi is Iraq's vice-president. The president who has assigned him to such duty is still in office and does not consider discharging him. Al-Hashemi is our guest and I hope this process will be overcome through reason and wisdom," he said.
Bagis also noted that the matter did not concern Turkey only and was an international problem.  

Violence against Muslims in Myanmar

Commenting also on the violence against Rohingya Muslims living in Myanmar's Rakhine state, Bagis praised AA's broadcasts in the region, pointing to its coverage of the Turkish prime minister's visit to Somalia last year and the latest developments in Syria as well.

"In some matters, results can be achieved after a while. I think drawing people's attention to such incidents is a very important starting point. I believe EU will also eventually respond to the incidents in Myanmar," the minister said.