Terror incidents do not block Turkey's EU membership process, says Şahin

The 26th meeting of the Reform Monitoring Group (RİG) was hosted by Şahin at the Anemon Hotel in the northeastern province of Ordu.

Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu were among the attendees.

Following the meeting, the ministers held a press conference.

Speaking at the press conference, Şahin said the group discussed Turkey's EU membership negotiations and the political obstructions.

When asked whether the continuing terror incidents could interfere with Turkey's EU membership bid, Şahin replied that the terror incidents are not regarded as developments that may block Turkey's EU membership process. “On the contrary, within the framework of the ‘positive agenda,' which we discussed today, we will pay more attention to counterterrorism measures,” said Şahin, adding that the EU acquis aims to find a solution to many of Turkey's problematic issues, including terrorism.

Şahin said the issues pertaining to the “positive agenda” initiated on May 17 in order to overcome the obstructions in the negotiations were also discussed in the meeting.

Touching on efforts made toward a new constitution in Turkey, Şahin indicated that a draft constitution would be presented to the public to get their views.

“The support of all segments of Turkish society for the constitutional process carries high importance,” said Şahin.

Ergin stated that they will not follow an approach which would damage Turkey's fight against terrorism. “We will not follow an approach which will harm Turkey's fight against coups, gangs and mafias,” said Ergin.

When Bağış was asked whether the positive agenda would bypass Greek Cypriots' EU presidency, he replied that it would be more accurate to evaluate the positive agenda as a way around the distorted mentality that hinders Turkey's progress in making reforms.

RİG, which was established in September 2003, closely follows Turkey's work on the legislation of political criteria for EU membership, as well as its effective implementation.

The previous meeting of RİG, which carries out its work under co-chairs, including the European Union affairs minister and chief negotiator, the justice minister, the interior minister and the foreign minister, was hosted in İstanbul last March by Bağış.