Turkey not ‘sick man of Europe’ anymore, Bağış says

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey is not “the sick man of Europe anymore,” State Minister Egemen Bağış, the country’s chief EU negotiator, said at a ceremony in Istanbul on Wednesday.

“Even though there are some circles that oppose Turkey’s membership in the EU, the number of Turkey’s friends, like Britain, within the EU is more than the people who are opposing Turkey’s membership,” Bağış said.

The minister made his remarks at a signing ceremony for a mutual understanding paper between the United Kingdom and Turkey that deals with giving training seminars to the local media in Turkey about the European Union.

The paper was signed by Ambassador Haluk Ilıcak, the head of European Union General Secretariat in Turkey, and British Ambassador David Reddaway.

Asked why the goal of EU accession is not being mentioned in the ruling party’s campaigns for the June 12 general election, Bağış said: “The EU means progressive democracy, a fair system and a more developed society. When we mention this, the EU is also being mentioned.”

Ambassador Reddaway said the strong support from the United Kingdom for Turkey’s EU membership will continue. “Turkey’s membership is in the interest of both Turkey and the EU,” he said.

via Turkey not ‘sick man of Europe’ anymore, Bağış says – Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review.