Bagis vows no deviation from country's EU goal

Turkey has no intention of deviating from its goal of European Union accession, said State Minister and Chief EU Talks Negotiator Egemen Bagis yesterday. Since the government has started negotiations with the EU on 13 chapters, it has no concerns or reservations about the membership process, he told a press conference in Ankara. "We're still determined, and there's no deviation from our EU target," he added. Calling the EU a union of values and the most important peace project in the history of humanity, Bagis said that before becoming a political union, the EU began as an economic union to prevent wars by European nations which had fought each other for centuries. Bagis said Turkey's EU membership would be a symbol and example showing that differences can coexist and humanity can unite around common values. Turkey is organizing various events to promote itself within the EU, Bagis said. Ankara's contributions to Europe's energy security can't be ignored, he adding, saying that as the Turkish military is one of the most dynamic, well-equipped and largest armies within the EU zone, Turkey is an important country for EU security. Objections to Turkey's membership came because it was a large, poor, Muslim country, said Bagis, but Turkey's size is an advantage to Europe now because the continent needs bigger markets today. Turkey's per capita income is now rising faster than in other European countries, he pointed out, adding that Turkey has become a hub for the EU and Western civilizations to communicate with cultures, societies and belief groups in the East. The EU needs Turkey more with each passing day, Bagis said.