Bagis speaks at IFRI in Paris

Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis met with economy circles during his second day in Paris. Speaking at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) on Thursday, Bagis stressed that during the period in which Turkey's membership talks were frozen, the French business world has been hurt the most. Stating that contrary to former French President Sarkozy's visit to Ankara which lasted for a few hours, visit to be paid by French President Francois Hollande to Turkey this year for one or more days would be important, Bagis added, "This would be an open message to both Turkish people and Turkish economy. Both France's blockage of EU process chapters and it policy to legalize the Armenian claims have undermined our relations. The impact of this blow was mostly felt by the French firms conducting business with Turkey." Welcoming the first steps of the Hollande administration, Bagis said, "The opening of Chapter 22 is just a good start. We believe good starts bring good results." Bagis also mentioned that mutual trade between Turkey and France has reached €15 billion but that the amount didn't reflect the real potential.