Time is working in favor of Turkey over EU bid, says top negotiator

 Commenting on the small number of chapters Turkey has been able to open so far in negotiations with the bloc, Bağış said Turkey should focus more on the number of processes rather than on the number of chapters. “Opening a chapter requires the consent of all 27 EU member states and as such we may face difficulties or even be hindered by some members despite the fact that we have fulfilled all the criteria for the opening of that chapter,” he said. There have been political obstacles on 18 chapters; France alone blocked the opening of five.

 Turkey's negotiator expressed the hope that they will be able to open a chapter on taxation before the Czech presidency expires. On social chapters, however, Turkey has decided to shelve reforms due to the global economic crisis taking its toll on the Turkish economy. “That was the common approach adopted after a series of consultations with both employers and unions' representatives,” he said.

 Bağış recognizes that the chapters opened so far are relatively easy to negotiate but the upcoming ones will be more difficult as they require a great deal of overhaul and come with a heavy price tag. He says he is not deterred by the challenges and affirmed his government's determination to push forward. “On the environmental chapter, hopefully we will be able to open it up after Sweden assumes the presidency. Environmental regulations are costly but we need to pass on a clean environment to our young generation,” Bağış told reporters.

 On a new campaign to convince the EU's skeptical public, Turkey is launching over 400 programs in about 40 cities across France this year. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is well known for his opposition to Turkey's full membership and he had raised his objections bluntly on several occasions. Turkey is aiming at the French public directly in a hope to sway them in favor of Turkey and allay concerns at the same time.

 “We are also campaigning to win the hearts and minds of Turkish citizens as well,” Bağış vowed, explaining a number of initiatives aimed to ease rising concerns over EU affairs among the Turkish public. The Secretariat General for the EU in Ankara is working in close contact with the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the largest business group in Turkey, as well as with civic community groups and universities to develop common projects to educate the Turkish public about the EU. “We attach particularly great importance to our young people's education and will discuss the overhaul of the curriculum and school textbooks to reflect the EU policies that Turkey has been advocating,” Bağış noted.

 Stressing that EU membership is a common position that has been adopted by successive governments in Turkey, Bağiş said both the ruling and opposition parties share an obligation to support the reform process. “I, however, find it difficult to understand sometimes the position of the opposition on draft laws like the commercial code and obligations law which has nothing to do with ideology,” he explained.

 On the Cyprus issue, Bağış criticized the EU for not delivering on promises made to Northern Cyprus. “The EU has not kept its promise to establish direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots and has not fulfilled all its obligations on financial assistance,” he underlined, signaling that Ankara is not willing to open its ports to Greek Cyprus before a comprehensive solution regarding the island is found. “We are fully supporting the ongoing negotiations between the two community leaders and will continue to do so,” he said.