Turkey expects full support from EU in fight against terror

Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated that they expected full support from EU in regards to fight against terrorism. Bagis delivered a speech at the European Policy Center in Belgium. Reminding that there were parties benefiting from drug trafficking, human smuggling and arms trade, Bagis said, "We expect full support from our European friends in our fight against terrorism. Because I'm sure those living a high life with their earnings from criminal jobs will resist the solution process." Bagis defined the solution process as, "The actualization of the equality of all citizens principle in real life," in a sentence. Bagis emphasized that the solution process didn't mean giving up the fight against terrorism and stated that they made use of countries such as Britain and Spain that have suffered from terrorism during the solution process. -"No other state so generous to minorities"- Bagis also stated that there were no other countries as generous as Turkey towards the minorities following the returning of 1.5 billion euros worth of real estate to the minorities. Bagis added that the estates were confiscated due to the oppression and injustices towards Muslims and Turkish people in various countries of Europe but they didn't approve the situation. -"Turkey made great progress in reforms"- Touching on Turkey's EU membership, Bagis stated that Turkey hade made more reforms in one year compared to all European countries, and even made unilateral progress in blocked chapters. The support for Turkey's EU membership was around 50 percent which dropped as low as 25 percent in the 50 year process due to EU not keeping their promises, added Bagis. -"Syrians should be given the opportunity to choose what they want"- Reminding that Turkey was the first country to say that Assad should go, Bagis called on the international society to move in the right direction. Stating that he didn't agree with western countries' concern over what would happen when Assad left, Bagis said, "They ask who would come when Assad goes. Whoever the Syrian people choose, that person will lead. Syrians should be given the opportunity to choose what they want." -Cyprus- Bagis stated that the election of Nicos Anastasiadis, the new leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, provided an opportunity and stated that if the EU removed the isolations it has put on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 2004, realized its promise of direct trade, Turkey would be ready to open its port and air space to Greek Cypriots. Bagis added that the division in Cyprus damaged the Greek Cypriot economy the most.