ANKARA
Foreign Ministry of Turkey welcomed Saturday the European Union's 2013 progress report on Turkey, released on Wednesday.
"It is pleasing that the report, which gives wide coverage to political reforms made within the last one year, stresses Turkey's determination on continuation of democratization and political reforms," the statement said.
Turkey began negotiations to join the EU in 2005, 18 years after applying.
But a series of political obstacles, notably over Cyprus, and resistance to Turkish membership have slowed progress.
"It is mentioned the effective role of Turkey's foreign policy in the report. We share evaluations on the importance of our cooperation with the European Union (EU) in this field," it told.
Turkey's foreign ministry also emphasized, "The report mentions the Council agreed to open Chapter 22 - regional policy and coordination of structural instruments - and says negotiations will begin in the autumn. One of the steps that should be taken to remove the blockage on the bidding process is to open the remaining chapters as soon as possible."
The ministry noted that Cyprus issue was taken place in the report as "one-sided again".
"We expect the European Union to adopt a stance, which pushes the Greek Cypriot side seriously to a comprehensive solution," the statement added.
Besides, Turkey's European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said on Saturday that the European Union's 2013 progress report on Turkey had showed Turkey's determination towards reforms.
"It is pleasing that Turkish government's reform works in different fields took place in the progress report positively," said Bagis, adding, "The report also praised democratization package announced by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan."
He said, "It will not be wrong to describe EU's 2013 progress report on Turkey as a certificate of incorporation in terms of Turkey's determination on reforms. As the report states, our government is tied to democratization progress and reforms. Our reform perspective will continue with the same determination. "
But Bagis added, "Progress report is not a ration card for Turkey. The only post to give a ration card to Turkey is nation."
On Cyprus issue, the Turkish minister stated that Turkey would never be the side, which escapes the solution, adding, "We expect the Greek Cypriot side to take the same brave steps with Turkey."
Egemen Bagis also talked about the visa exemption.
"Entering European countries without visa is right of Turkish people. We will be strict follower of our rights arising from the Ankara Agreement that we signed 50 years ago," he noted.
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