Turkish Foreign Policy and Ongoing EU Dialogue: Interview with Egemen Bağış, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator with the EU
Turkish Foreign Policy and Ongoing EU Dialogue: Interview with Egemen Bağış, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator with the EU

Summary/Abstract: More than 50 years ago, Turkey started its EU accession project, with its first application to join the European Economic Community made in July 1959. Negotiations were delayed, however, because of several domestic political developments. In 1999, the Helsinki Council concluded that Turkey would be accepted as a candidate country. Accession negotiations started in October 2005 but were subsequently suspended. Turkey showed more commitment to achieving the demanded reforms and the negotiations were resumed in January 2007. Even though some argue regarding the legitimacy of Turkey’s accession, some advantages of a strong EU partnership with Turkey could not be ignored. They refer mainly to its geo-strategic position, its economic prosperity and trade balance. With key parliamentary elections coming up in just one week, Balkanalysis.com is providing insight into the foreign policy goals and strategies of the Turkish government with the following interview. Speaking with with Brussels-based Balkanalysis.com correspondent Maria-Antoaneta Neag, Mr. Egemen Bağış, Turkish Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator with the EU, shares his experience and opinions regarding Turkey’s dialogue with the European bloc, as well as his country’s new foreign affairs policy and economic growth targets.

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