SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: In a SPIEGEL interview, Ankara's Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis discusses Turkey's journey to the West and his country's dispute with the United States over a resolution on the genocide of the Armenians recently passed by Congress.
SPIEGEL: Mr. Bagis, why does Turkey still need a minister for European Union affairs? Isn't Europe a dead issue in your country?
Bagis: Absolutely not. My government is investing more energy in the reform process than any other government. In 2013 we will be ready for accession.
SPIEGEL: But do Turks share your enthusiam? Three out of four Turks believe that the EU wants to divide your country and spread Christianity.
Bagis: I have other figures: If Turkey held a referendum today on accession, 60 percent would vote for it. On the other hand, only 40 percent of Turks believe that accession will definitely take place. In Europe it is the other way round: Forty percent want to take Turkey in, but 60 percent believe the country will join the EU one day.
SPIEGEL: In other words: There is skepticism on both sides.
Bagis: Let's put it this way: Some countries like Malta apply for membership and are in the next day. Others need a little more time. I have no problem with the fact that some Europeans say they want negotiations with an open-ended outcome. Today everything has an open-ended outcome, even Catholic marriages. >>> | Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Interview conducted by Bernhard Zand and Daniel Steinvorth
