ANKARA
Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis has referred to the statement of France about the opening of chapter 22 in accession talks and said that they were satisfied to hear it.
Bagis spoke at the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission in the Turkish Parliament on Thursday.
Bagis highlighted the hard works of Turkish parliament, gave examples from the works achieved and added, "There is not a single EU member country to achieve such performance in their parliaments. "
"We see the EU process from a reformation point of view and never index the process with political problems that we face," noted Bagis and reminded that Turkey prepared its own progress report.
Furthermore, Bagis referred to the Wednesday's statements which were released by France about the opening of the 22nd chapter and underlined that hearing from the EU wing something solid and positive after a while was satisfying.
Bagis mentioned that Turkey is in a state of opening many chapters quickly during Ireland's term presidency and said, "Once the political blockage is lifted, in 12 months Turkey is in a state of opening 10 chapters, moreover, in 18 months we can open 15 chapters."
We must gather to solve Cyprus issue
Bagis showed the upcoming Pope elections as an example and said, "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Greek Cypriot administration, Turkey and Greece should gather in one room and not leave until the Cyprus issue is solved like the cardinals who are locked up in a room until the Pope is selected."
Stating that Turkey possessed a significant portion of the energy resources that the EU required, Bagis said, "Opening the chapter of energy is extremely vital for the 500 million citizens of the European Union."
"The Greek Cypriot administration's blocking of the energy chapter does not damage us but the 500 million citizens of the European Union. If three out of four Greek Cypriots had not rejected the Annan plan, today the Greek Cypriots wouldn't have been on the verge of bankruptcy and the EU wouldn't have had an energy crisis."
"Encounter" in Turkey-EU relations
Bagis said on Thursday, "encounter" was one of the most needed term in Turkey-EU relations now.
Bagis held a lunch at the Cer Modern Arts Centre in the honor of the attendees of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission.
The meal was held at the art hall which hosts Turkish painter Ahmet Gunestekin's exhibition, "Encounter".
Speaking at the arts centre, Minister Bagis explained the special purpose of the lunch why it was held at the same place with the "Encounter" exhibition.
"The titled of the Gunestekin's exhibition is "encounter". I wanted to hold this lunch in here specifically because the word "encounter" is one the most needed terms that we need in Turkey-EU relations now."
After their meal, Bagis had a quick chat with Dutch MP Laurence Stassen who previously criticized Turkey about the freedom of the press.
During their conversation, "I hope you give'll me a chance to refresh your ideas," said Bagis to Stassen.
