BAGIS: " MOST VALUABLE PASSPORT WILL BE THE TURKISH PASSPORT"
AK Party Vice Chairman Egemen Bagis visited Germany to contact various officials on the invitation of Konrad Adenauer Foundation between 22 through 25 January 2008. In this framework Mr. Bagis met the German Minister of Interior Dr. Wolfgang Schauble, State Minister in charge of Europe Mr. Günter Gloser, the President of the Foreign Affairs Commission Mr. Ruprecht Polenz, Chairman of Turkey-Germany Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Caucus Mr. Thomas Kossendey and other officials. Bagis also had an interview with Financial Times Deutschland.
Bagis also participated "Turkish Foreign Policy and Turkish and German relations" seminar organized at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation building in Berlin. The Foundation is known for their close ties with Christian Democrat Union (CDU). Bagis gave a presentation on: "Continuity and Changing: Turkish Foreign Policy Developments on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Government"
On his presentation, Bagis mentioned that with AK Party Government Turkey gained an important place on foreign policy. Bagis further stated: "I am declaring that the most valuable passport will be the Turkish Republic passport in the Middle East and the geography which Turkey exists." Bagis added "Turkey grew at economy and democracy more and more. Every day we become more prosperous and more democratic."
Bagis noted that AK Party, which is the initiator of full membership of Turkey to European Union negotiations, will also be a carrier to full membership. Bagis also called on EU countries to annul the isolation implementing against Northern Cyprus.
Bagis underlined that Turkey made every endeavor to prevent the war in Iraq and that Turkey is a major contributor since the war started and Turkey is one of the countries that want to have peace in the region.
Bagis emphasized that Turkish citizens in Germany are an important bridge between Germany and Turkey and that he believes that problems related to integration could be solved. He concluded "Did not they integrate with or was integration of them was not wanted? We are doubtful on this issue."