Friday, 25 September 2009
Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis has said that they would not give up despite all difficulties targeting discourage Turkey with its EU membership process.
Delivering a speech at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government on "A Win-Win Relationship: Turkey and the European Union", Bagis said, "the EU is one of the most important peace projects in the history. But it is has not yet completed till accession of Turkey. It is a win-win relationship between Turkey and the EU. Turkey is a part of solution to all significant problems EU faces."
He said that Turkey having the second biggest army behind the United States among all NATO member states, played an active role in transatlantic security.
"Turkey is the only country which is a member of the G-20, NATO, the organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at the same time," he said.
"Some 1.5 billion Muslim people around the world watch Turkey's EU process. The EU was designed as a political peace project. It did not emerge as a Christian club. And its essence is diversity. Now, we have the opportunity to make Europe a place of shared ideals and common targets. We will prove that the Islam and democracy can co-exist by showing that culture and religion do not obstruct development and democracy," he stressed.
"According to OECD, Turkey will be the third fastest growing country in the world till 2017 behind China and India. Our economy was ranked the 6th biggest economy in Europe and the 17th in the world. Accordingly, Turkey is becoming an 'inevitable player' in the future of European economy. Turkey is also the guarantee of energy safety for Europe because of its geographical position," he said.
Bagis said Turkey was determined to maintain a transformation process which was marked by European Union-inspired reforms that aimed at making Turkey the first Muslim member of the Union.
"Taking risks is an integral part of a visionary leadership. And our government has been showing such leadership for the last seven years as it took major steps on Cyprus, Kurdish and Armenian issues," Bagis said.
The Turkish minister recalled that the government had moved for a democratic transformation as well in order to secure "full and equal rights for each and every Turkish citizen."
"No matter how high the political costs can be, the government is committed to achieve the democratization process, Bagis said.
Bagis expressed strong conviction that Turkey would become an EU member when political climate was ripe for the country's accession: "I would not be bothered at all if certain European countries go for a referendum on Turkey's membership because I strongly believe that when that day comes EU countries would want Turkey's accession even more than Turks would do."
"We will not tire and we will not falter from our EU bid despite domestic and foreign obstacles. We are determined, ambitious and patient."
