Bagis: "Turkey expects a fair EU talks process"

From the European Union, Turkey expects a fair membership negotiation process, a stronger fight against terrorism, an exemption from visa requirements, peaceful settlement of the Cyprus issue, and the right to be represented at EU summits, said State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis yesterday. Speaking at Ankara University's European Research Center, Bagis called EU membership a modernization project based on a win-win principle, and said Turkey has adopted a new four-stage strategy: preparing an action plan on the steps planned for the talks' remaining 19 chapters; bringing Turkey's laws in line with the EU acquis by the end of 2013; prioritizing political reforms; and increasing communication. Ankara has recently been focused on the chapter on competition and will soon turn to the energy, education and culture chapters, said Bagis, adding that he believes Turkey will join the EU sooner rather than later.