Erdogan gives strong messages to senior EU officials

Turkish State Minister Egemen Bagis, who also heads the negotiations with the European Union, said Thursday that if the European Union decided to froze the accession talks with Turkey, it would be a serious mistake.

Bagis told a news conference in Brussels, "I held talks with European Commissioner for enlargement Stefan Fuele, Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development Dacian Ciolos, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva, leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament Martin Schulz, European Parliament's Rapporteur for Turkey Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Turkey-European Union Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Helene Flautre, Greens Group Co-President Rebecca Harms, Conservatives and Reformists Group President Michal Tomasz Kaminski and Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Mario Mauro."

"During the meetings, I gave six messages to the European Union officials that the European Union should be fair in accession talks with Turkey, Turkish citizens should benefit from visa exemption, the European Union should recognize the direct trade agreement with the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus, the European Union should make more cooperation with Turkey in fight against terror, reports on Turkey should be more balanced and Turkey should be invited to the European Union summits," he said.

Bagis told reporters, "Turkey has become the 16th biggest economy in the world and 6th biggest economy in Europe without becoming a member of the European Union.

It succeeded in attaining a growth rate of 11 percent. If the European Union decides to froze the accession talks with Turkey, it will be a serious mistake."

Following the news conference, Bagis left Brussels for Turkey.


/World Bulletin/