  Turkish State Minister believes Turkey's membership to be priority of EUApril 18, 2009 - 02:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's State Minister Egemen Bagis expressed his belief on Friday that Turkey's membership would be the priority of the European Union (EU). Bagis, who is also the chief negotiator for EU talks, said that he believed Turkey's membership would be EU's priority more than Turkey's when negotiations were completed. "We are self-confident that we will open and close chapters in coming days," Bagis said during the Turkish-Italian Media and Economic Forum held by the Turkish-Italian Friendship Association in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Bagis said that Turkey was facing some obstacles before negotiations and membership, but there were not any countries that could not complete negotiations. The minister said that EU membership was a strategic target for Turkey, an important project to become more contemporary but was not a sine qua non condition. "Turkey is not a country that would say 'yes' to every thing imposed before it, just to become an EU member," Bagis said. On relations with Armenia, the minister said that Turkey would continue to assume a peaceful attitude, taking regional sensitivities into consideration. Turkey became an EU candidate country in December 1999. The union launched accession talks with Turkey on October 3, 2005. (BRC)   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Related sections Topic Latest news Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive”  At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments.OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg.151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation.France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |
