Bagis: "At least one chapter in Turkey's EU bid is expected to open during Irish presidency"

YAYINLAMA
GÜNCELLEME



Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said Turkey was expecting at least one chapter to be opened in its membership talks with the EU during the Irish presidency. Speaking to the Star daily in Dublin, where he is attending the informal ministerial meeting of the EU, Bagis said that most of the EU countries support Turkey’s full membership and that they would put pressure on France to open several negotiation chapters. "During the ministerial meeting, we reiterated our concern on the process’ being blocked by French and Greek administrations. About 15 EU ministers, as well as EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, said that a minimum of one chapter should be opened during Ireland’s term presidency, highlighting the significance of Turkey for the EU," said Bagis. "France has already stated that they are not against the opening of the chapter on regional policy. Unless France insists on being at odds with the others, at least one chapter will be opened," he added. Bagis also claimed that EU fears the risk of losing Turkey. "Seeing Turkey could grow on its own and could further its democracy, they fear that Turkey might give up on EU," Bagis noted.