Hold on tight Europe, Turkey is coming to rescue you

At a conference in Munich today Egemen Bagis Turkeys EU Minister and Chief Negotiator whilst giving a speech to those at the conference on “Turkey in the 21st century” Bagis said “ we are more determined than ever to become a member of the EU” and stated that his new slogan is ”˜hold on tight Europe, Turkey is coming to rescue you’.”

In Turkey there are in excess of 30,000 foreign companies and that Turkey as a nation is growing even though all around are in crisis. Turkey’s economic growth rate is 8% whilst the average for the rest of the European countries was at 1.5%.

For those who do not see Turkey having a realistic chance to join the EU should think again, as one of the most progressive countries globally Turkey is striving to satisfy all the chapters required to meet the criteria. The next big question is why would Turkey want to join the EU? It seems to be not just weathering the economic storm but prospering from it under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister .Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The many who have visited Turkey on a regular basis will have seen the changes and prosperity happening, and it is thought there is much more to come as Turkey presses on as a country with belief in its strengths, which it has many, agriculture, construction, manufacturing and of course tourism. How many EU member countries can speak about these sectors in this way? We should be looking at how we can get Turkey to join the EU soon just in case Turkey decides otherwise. International news agency 2012