KAYSERI
Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis has said, "Even if they open a chapter or not, Turkey will continue growing, keep thriving, becoming transparent, developing. However not opening a chapter will also cost Europe," in regards to chapters which are expected to be opened week at the EU negotiations.
Bagis came together with the Governor of Kayseri Orhan Duzgun in Turkey's central province of Kayseri on Wednesday. Turkish minister replied the questions of reporters after the meeting with Duzgun.
Asked what he was thinking over the decision of Germany and the Netherlands on Tuesday as both countries refused to give a green light to the opening of the a new negotiation "chapter" or policy area in Turkey's membership talks with the European Union, Bagis said, "Turkey has not opened a chapter in the past three years yet did not step back from its determination of the EU process. Because what is important for us is that to apply autoban standards in the 81 Turkish cities. It is important for us to present the human rights, freedom of speech rights like in Sweden, educations standards in England, fashion and branding standards in Italy, food and hygiene standards in France to 76 million of our citizens. Even if they open a chapter or not, Turkey will continue growing, keep thriving, becoming transparent, and developing. However not opening a chapter will also cost Europe. That is why those countries have to calculate well. Once they do that they will see EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs EU nowadays. That is why they have to be slightly careful," said Bagis.
