Friday, 23 October 2009
Turkey's chief negotiator for European Union (EU) talks said late on Thursday that Turkey was trying to overcome some political obstacles before chapters.
State Minister Egemen Bagis said that there were some political obstacles regarding some chapter headings with the EU, and Turkey was trying to overcome those obstacles. "Negotiation process is going on even though slowly, and Turkey is serious about negotiations and carrying out all its technical studies and liabilities," Bagis said during a meeting in Istanbul.
The Paris Bosphorus Institute, established in France, held its first seminar at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace. The seminar was on "rebuilding Turkey-EU relations." Bagis said Turkey saw the EU process as a three-phase process, including the reform process, accession negotiations and communication.
The Turkish minister said Turkey had made great progress in reform process, and achieved to launch negotiations with the EU on 11 chapters and close one chapter heading.
"We have to start negotiations on energy chapter, however this chapter is not opened for negotiations due to political reasons," he said. Bagis also said that he could not understand why the EU had not opened negotiations on energy when Turkey was a solution of energy safety in Europe.
"Turkey is the solution of many problems Europe and the world are facing and will face in the future," he said. Bagis said Turkey was a part of a solution in foreign policy, security, defense, fight against terrorism and illegal migration, and Turkey could help Europe solve those problems.
"Europe cannot solve these problems easily without Turkey," he said.
Also, Bagis said Turkey was developing a communication strategy for EU, which would be flexible and comprehensive. On Turkish-French relations, Bagis said France was one of the countries Turkey had given priority in its communication strategy and the Bosphorus Institute would contribute to Turkey's communication with France.
The "Institut du Bosphore" is a think-tank of high-level Turkish and French personalities from various backgrounds including politicians, businessmen, economists, experts and intellectuals. The stated mission of the institute is to bolster free and objective links between France and Turkey.
The institute debates topics such as global politics, economy, social and cultural issues with a view to highlighting Turkey's involvement in global society and in particular its close ties with the European Union and France. It facilitates common reflection of French and Turkish people on Europe and current global issues.
