ANKARA
Lithuania’s Ambassador in Ankara Kestusis Kudzmanas has said his country would seek to open three new chapters to help accelerate Turkey’s European Union (EU) accession process.
As of July 1 Lithuania assumed the EU’s rotating presidency and will steer and coordinate the European Union Council and the EU’s agenda.
Kudzmanas told the AA reporter that Lithuania would support the opening of new chapters, which as ‘an experienced member state of the EU’ itself had already been through all of the procedures.
“The Lithuanian EU presidency will attempt by the end of 2013 to open three chapters in Turkey’s EU accession negotiations. The first chapter, inherited from the Irish EU Presidency, is on Regional Policy, which could possibly open in October this year following the screening report,” said Kudzmanas. “The second chapter concerns Monetary Policy. Finally, the Lithuanian EU Presidency, with the guidance of the European Commission, will seek to open the chapter on Social Policy and Employment.”
Lithuania has been the member state of the EU since 2004, said Kudzmanas adding, Turkey can benefit from their ‘fresh experience’. “Turkey can draw on the advantage of our experience. Because we know how to achieve goals, what needs to be done for capacity building, training, modernisation of law. I think appealing to experience of new members from central European countries could have additional opportunities for Turkey for the acceleration of the EU negotiation process.”
- Turkey’s EU accession is for the benefit of both Turkey and the EU
Kudzmanas said Turkey’s EU membership would be for the benefit of both Turkey and the EU. Turkey’s [economic] market would increase as it enters one of the biggest markets in the world. “It is not only a market, but it’s also about common standards, common democratic values with respect to human rights and all the other things to be part of a common society,” he added.
It is also a big advantage especially for young people, for students, for new generations, new opportunities for professionals, Kudzmanas noted.
“We have a lot to learn from you and you can learn from us. Everything has a mutual benefit,” he said.
Kudzmanas also said Turkey was a fast growing country with a young population and the EU needed a new a generation of young skilled people.
by Betul Yuruk - Ankara
englishnews@aa.com.tr
