Bagis: "EU needs Turkey more than ever"

An article written by Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis was published in the Parliament Magazine earlier this week. "Being located in one of the world's most dynamic and volatile regions, Turkey's importance has been growing. Despite the entire turbulent and chaotic environment in its surroundings, Turkey managed to emerge as one of the most successful actors from the crisis. Contrary to its European neighbors, the Turkish economy broke growth records. Turkey became the fastest growing country in Europe and the second fastest in the world" Bagis wrote, adding that Turkey also emerged as a source of inspiration for the Arab countries during the Arab Spring. "It is apparent that, for the EU to become a soft-power that is reaching the hearts and minds of millions of Arabs in the region, the EU needs Turkey more than ever. Our European friends can retrieve the international effectiveness they have dramatically lost only by having Turkey as a member of the EU that would be a win-win situation for both parties," Bagis added.