Bagis: "The EU needs Turkey more tha Turkey needs the EU"

Turkey's European Union bid isn't focused on its aspiration to become a member of the bloc, but rather on efforts to raise Turkey's democratic and economic standards, said State Minister and Chief EU Talks Negotiator Egemen Bagis on Wednesday. Speaking on Mehtap television, Bagis said Turkey and the EU need each other, but Turkey's need for the Union is shrinking while the Union's need for Turkey grows greater with each passing day. "One day the EU will look for ways to do away with obstacles to Turkey's membership," he said. On those obstacles, he explained, "What is behind Turkey's trouble with opening new chapters [for negotiation] is the Cyprus issue or things brought before Turkey in connection with the same issue. Today there are political obstacles to the opening of 17 or 18 chapters. One day these obstacles will be overcome, because Turkey and the EU need each other." He added, "Today Europe is mired in a serious economic crisis. And before them is an economic power they are watching with admiration: the Republic of Turkey. Turkey is the sixth-biggest economy in Europe and number 15 in the world. We have a young, dynamic population. In addition, we have a dynamic market. Moreover, Turkey now holds the secretary-general post at the Organization of the Islamic Conference [OIC] as well as co-chairmanship of the Alliance of Civilizations. Turkey is also a reputable member of the G-20. The EU can't ignore such an active country." Bagis also reiterated that Turkey won't make concessions on Cyprus for its EU bid. "We will neither abandon Cyprus for the EU nor the EU for Cyprus," he said. "Our policy is very clear: ports for ports. Let the Greek Cypriots open their ports to us, and we will open our ports to them."