Published: 1/2/2012
As the economic crisis deepens across Europe, 2012 will be a hard year regarding Turkey’s negotiations with the European Union, according to EU Minister Egemen Bagis.
“If the European Union thinks that whatever they can rip off from Turkey is a gain during the economic crisis the EU has been experiencing, opening new chapters for Turkey’s accession would not be beneficial for us,” said the minister in charge of Turkey’s EU negotiations, adding that the chapters should serve mutual interests.
“European Union needs Turkey on several matters. Turkey grew by 8.9 percent in 2010 and nearly 10 percent in 2011,” said Bagis.
Last year was not an easy one regarding the EU accession talks for Turkey. “It will also be a tough year in 2012,” the minister said, adding that he was hopeful for 2013. “I believe Turkey will be a shining star of Europe in 2013.”
The euro-zone economy posted growth of 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2011, compared with Turkey robust growth which accelerated to 11.7 percent. As the euro-zone economic growth slowed to 0.2 percent in the second quarter of the last year, Turkey’s growth reached 11 percent. The euro-zone expanded by 0.2 percent in the third quarter of the last year while Turkey’s economic growth slowed to 8.2 percent.
Bagıs added that 2012 shall be a hard year due to the presidential elections in France and the EU Presidency of the South Cyprus. Bagıs said: “A half state shall be the term president of the EU. As you know actually Cyprus Island has become the EU member. However it has been announced that the EU laws are not applicable in the TRNC. We desire that a partnership state equally representing both sides can be established in Cyprus until July and become the EU term president. However if this can not be achieved then we shall face a half state term presidency. This shall create some obstacles in the EU process of Turkey.
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