Progress on EU environmental chapter discussed in Antalya

The Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a panel late last week focusing on Turkey's progress in implementing the environmental standards of its European Union accession package. Speaking to the panel, Akdeniz University Rector Israfil Kurtcephe said Turkey is still enthusiastic about EU membership, adding that both parties would benefit if Turkey becomes a member. He also pointed to the importance of universities in the process of Turkey's accession. Tibor Varadi, vice president of the EU Turkey Delegation, stressed the importance of sufficient financial investments and a sound infrastructure in the implementation of environmental policies. "These policies should not actually be seen as EU countries' dictates on Turkey, but rather as ways to improve Turkey's quality of life," he said. The environment chapter opened last December. Varadi said the EU has been encouraging Turkey since 2005 to take necessary steps by adopting new rules and creating new institutions to implement these rules. The bloc said the Turkish economy has remained flexible in comparison to many other countries both within and outside the Union during the world economic crisis. "It is clear that there has been a fall in inflation and that growth expectations are on the rise, and that the automotive, banking and pharmaceutical sectors have recently shown impressive development in Turkey," said Varadi, adding that the EU process is helping Turkey boost its competitive edge in these areas.