Bagis: "Every country which started accession talks in the end joined the EU"
Speaking in Ankara at a meeting on the translation of the European Union acquis and Turkish legislation, State Minister and chief negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis reiterated Turkey's determination to join the EU. Stating that no country which started accession talks has ever been refused eventual EU membership, Bagis said Turkey is continuing its determined reform efforts to this end. Saying that when the accession talks end successfully Turkish will become one of the Union's official languages, Bagis added that no one should doubt Turkey's European identity. "Turkey has already been a part and had an active presence in European institutions," he said. "It joined the customs union with EU member countries nearly 15 years ago. There are millions of Turks living in European countries and they make remarkable contributions to the economic, social and cultural lives of their host countries." On the outspoken French opposition to Turkey's bid, Bagis said, "They have the right to oppose Turkey's EU membership bid, but Turkey is resolved to continue its accession talks, which started with the approval of the 27 members of the Union. Turkey has the necessary determination to continue accession talks without considering such opposition." In related news, the number of Turkish entrepreneurs living in the European Union has reached 131,500, and their current investment stock presently totals approximately €14.4 billion. In a written press release the Turkish-German Education and Scientific Studies Foundation (TAVAK) said there are currently more than 4.2 million Turkish immigrants living in EU countries. Faruk Sen, chairman of the board of trustees of the Turkish-European Business Association (BTEU), commended the growth of Turkish entrepreneurship in Europe, noting that the number of Turkish entrepreneurs had risen dramatically from about 62,000 in 1997. The TAVAK said one of the most important results of the entrepreneurial success of Turks in Europe is that these entrepreneurs have created jobs for 500,000 people in Europe and that their annual sales reportedly amount to €48 billion.