14 April 2017•Update: 14 April 2017
ANKARA
Turkey has proposed a summit to mend its ties with the European Union, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Omer Celik said on Friday.
Speaking to Haber Turk television, Celik shed light on the crises between Turkey and the Europe, which ratcheted up recently after the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s referendum rallies were banned in some European countries.
“We have reached the lowest point in our relationship with the EU. To get out of this, I have proposed a summit,” he said.
He underscored the importance of bilateral ties based on fair principles.
Celik also said the Turkey’s EU accession process had contributed to the country’s economy.
“Negotiations on full membership to the EU has made a positive impact on our national income,” he said.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara will offer a “final” deal to the European Union on visa-free travel after Turkey’s constitutional referendum just a few days away.
"We will then decide how to proceed and make our decisions publicly known. We need to get visa-free travel. This is part of the latest migrant deal we signed," Cavusoglu said.
Later, in remarks made to a gathering in Adana province, Celik dismissed the claim about Turkey moving towards a federal system after the referendum. “We totally reject any amendment to Turkey’s unitary system.”
He added: “To protect the unitary state is the most important part of our struggle.”
Reporting by Ugur Cil, Ibrahim Erikan and Serife Cetin; Writing by Ahmet Sait Akcay
