EU minister attends Bastille Day reception at French Embassy, calls for opening of new EU chapter

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bağış attended the reception given at the French Embassy in Ankara in celebration of Bastille Day. AA photo

Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bağış called a new chapter to be opened in the EU accession negotiations at the reception given at the French Embassy in Ankara in celebration of Bastille Day.

Thanking France for lifting its block on opening chapter 22 on regional policies this autumn, more than 2.5 years after the opening of the last chapter, Bağış said Turkey expected Paris to continue lending its support.

"I thank France for removing the block on opening chapter 22 [of the negotiations] in my name, on behalf of the government and our people. I also want to say that as Turkey, we also expect France's show of good will for the chapter on financial [and budgetary] provisions," Bağış said during a speech. He added that the opening of the chapter in question would be a win-win for both the EU and Turkey and further contribute to relations between Ankara and Paris.

Bağış also touched on the military takeover in Egypt, criticizing the EU's stance. "Unfortunately the EU hasn't sided with Turkey's principled stance. Turkey's courageous and principled stance has given strength to the Egyptian people," he said.

French Ambassador Laurent Bili said France would always support the democratization process in Turkey, praising the friendship between the two countries.