ANKARA (AA) - July 31, 2012 - Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis on Tuesday said that the current EU Commission formed "positive agenda" between Turkey and EU to prevent their relations from getting interrupted during EU term presidency of Greek Cypriot administration.
"As part of the positive agenda, we have established working groups for visa exemption, participation of Turkish citizens at EU Commission and cooperation against terrorism related to the eight chapters under negotiations," Minister Bagis told a televised interview on a private Turkish news channel.
Mentioning that Turkey is not taking any notice of EU term presidency of Greek Cypriots, "We are continuing working nonstop and still making reforms. We are not their interlocutor but it is Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. They have been seeking assistance from Ireland in terms of term presidency, no need for it. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus provides them support," said the minister.
Stating that Turkey has been working for visa issue for the last 30 years, "27 countries in the union gave EU Commission authorization to start visa exemption process, and the commission is now working on an action plan. 75 million Turkish citizens will be able to travel to EU countries with just their passport," said Bagis.
Noting that Bashar Al-Assad's time in Syria coming to an end, "The countries that were supporting Al-Assad previously, are now making plans for Al-Assad's exit. In the end, this cruelty will come to an end, I hope it would be soon," said Bagis.
