Brussels, 11/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on 10 October, the Turkish foreign affairs minister, Egemen Bagis, said that the Turks are particularly disappointed by the political section of the progress report in spite of the effort that the country has made. “It is clear that the 2012 progress report on Turkey reflects the efforts of the EU - which is in a financial, economic and political crisis - to delay Turkey's EU membership with various excuses”, he said, adding that the report is not capable of setting directions for Turkey and that, in his view, European pessimism is eclipsing the positive agenda.
Bagis also considers that “the EU has psychological problems”, saying that in psychology “projection” stands for the place of mind where the individual attributes his own deficiencies to another individual”. He therefore calls on the EU to see its own deficiencies.
In Bagis' opinion, the fact that the report was published under Cypriot presidency - which he considers is a “so-called presidency” of a “so-called country” - has also played a role in its content.
It should also be pointed out that the report says that Ankara has made progress in 32 out of the 33 negotiating chapters. There is no doubt that, as from 10 October 2012, Turkey is closer than ever to harmonisation with European standards, the report states.
Bagis adds that the country will be attentive to the rational and constructive criticism in order to try to remedy its shortcomings. He also recalls that Turkey is pursuing its objective of becoming a member of the EU and that Turkey has no intention of stopping the process. Turkey is important for the EU, he says.
Unfreezing of chapters. MEPs call for an unfreezing of the negotiating chapters blocked by the Council. The S&D Group demands the relaunch of the negotiating process with the opening of chapters on the judicial system, civil rights, justice and energy. Hélène Flautre (Greens/EFA, France) deplores the incoherent policy of the EU towards Ankara. She says that although the EU wants reforms in Turkey and more cooperation on energy and foreign policy, the member states are blocking negotiations on the corresponding chapters. Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP, Netherlands), the rapporteur on Turkey, calls on the EU to suggest that its role of mediator could be useful for exiting the current stalemate in the negotiations in the conflict between Turkey and Cyprus. (CG/transl.fl)