Turkey may seek to revise customs union with EU

Turkey is considering revisions to its Customs Union treaty with the European Union, State Minister and Chief EU Talks Negotiator Egemen Bagis told a meeting of Turkish trade counselors yesterday. "Can we bring the Customs Union agreement back to the [negotiating] table?" he asked. "What issues could we give concessions on? And what issues could we get concessions on? We're taking a close look at this." Pointing to Turkey's economic progress, Bagis said that amid economic woes on the continent, Turkey is like a ray of hope for the European Union. Some EU states are uncomfortable with this, he said, and accused them of failing to see how critical Turkey is for the European bloc." If Turkey can stand firm, it is because our economy and trade are strong," he added.