Positive agenda launched between Turkey and EU

Turkey and EU has officially launched the "positive agenda" in order to revive Turkey’s EU accession process. European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagıs, who launched the agenda yesterday with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stephan Fule, said May 17 would be remembered as a "turning point" in Turkey's accession into the European bloc. "Our Armenian citizens have started to perform religious ceremony in Akdamar after 112 years. Our Roman citizens have held talks with their Prime Minister and obtained information about housing and career projects, while their counterparts in Europe have been exiled. Significant developments have been experienced in Turkey in terms of human rights and freedom of expression," Bagis said. In reply to a question about Turkey’s attitude against Greek Cypriot administration’s rotating EU term presidency, Bagis said, "Turkey has no intention to protest any country. I think there is some misunderstanding on this issue. You protest a country which you recognize. We emphasized in advance that nothing would change in our relations with the Commission under the presidency of a country which we do not recognize."  Talking about the agenda, Fule said, "The positive agenda should bring fresh dynamics and new momentum in our relations. Our aim is to keep the accession process alive ... after a period of stagnation which has been a source of frustration for both sides." "The fact is that we have lost the public support here in Turkey and also in the European Union. It is a reflection of our inability over the last years to open any chapters," he added.