PARIS
Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis on Thursday said "It's time to accelerate Turkey-EU relations."
Turkey's EU Minister Bagis gave a conference at French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) on "Turkey for new Europe" in the French capital of Paris.
Stating that EU needed a new way of thinking to accelerate Turkey-EU relations, Bagis said, "Turkey's strong economy, versatile foreign policy, cultural and historical bond with neighbouring countries, together with bringing the institutional resources of Turkey and EU together, makes Turkey an inseparable part of the EU for it to realise its target of enlargement and neighbouring countries' policies. We can't think of a Europe without Turkey. Turkey's full membership into the EU creates a "win-win" situation."
Insisting on the key role of Turkey in the EU reform process, Bagis said, "Turkey has undergone a huge socio-economic transformation in the last decade. Turkey established an impressive economic development and political stability due to the structural reforms. Unlike the thought of Turkey' accession not to be absorbed, we believe Turkey's membership can provide various solutions to EU's current problems."
Bagis warned that the EU losing its acceleration and dynamism economically, might not appeal for its member states and potential candidate states in the future.
Stating that another problem facing the EU was ethno-centricism and racism, Bagis said, "Unfortunately these problems question the foundations of European principles more than ever."
Emphasizing that the EU would overcome the current problems, Bagis said, "The EU can't disregard the strategic importance of the cooperation mechanisms with Turkey in overcoming the crisis. As well as the Middle East and North Africa, Balkans, Afghanistan, Pakistan, southern Caucasus are the areas Turkey and the EU have common interest in. Turkey's strengthening role in these countries as an active player reveals EU's need to cooperate with Turkey in the area of foreign policy. Especially after the Arab Spring, Turkey's role has strengthened in the region as a reliable mediator. Turkey possesses many properties that would contribute to European norms and values."
Bagis also touched on Turkey-France relations and stated that the foreign trade volume between Turkey and France was 14.7 billion dollars in 2012 and there were 1,050 French companies in Turkey.
Bagis reminded that five chapters in regards to Turkey's EU accession were blocked during the Sarkozy presidency and stated that the situation changed after Hollande came into power and said, "The French government's support to Turkey for the EU accession, especially removing political blockages and opening new chapters, are very important. We are very pleased of the announcement of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in regards to removing the blockage on chapter 22."
