ANKARA
Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Mevlut Cavusoglu expects Turkey to work closely with the EU in the near future.
"Turkey is the perfect partner to work financially with the EU considering the recent economic difficulties in Europe," Cavusoglu said at the Turkish-Romanian Investment and Trade Forum on Thursday in Ankara.
Romania's President Traian Basescu and Turkey's EU Minister said that the forum will not only be beneficial for Romania and Turkey, but also for the EU as well.
Turkey's national income level increased to US$800 billion from US$230 billion in the last 11 years, Cavusoglu confirmed.
"Turkey's unemployment rate is much lower than those of the European countries’. The level has reached double-digits in Europe, while Turkey has a single-digit rate," he added.
"We have speeded up Turkey's EU accession process during our latest contacts with Brussels, France, Italy, Germany and now Romania. We know that our 'friend' Romania has always been and will always be a fierce supporter of Turkey's EU membership bid."
Romania's Basescu said that the practical and “right decision is to have a European Union with Turkey in it."
In order to achieve this, Basescu stressed that Turkey’s strategic approach should be closing its judiciary chapters “as soon as possible”.
Romania closed its chapters regarding the judicial reforms in 2004 and joined the EU in 2007.
Strengthening Ties
In the past two years, the total volume of trade between Romania and Turkey has increased by US$1.5 billion.
"Our main goal is to reach U$10 billion in total trade volume,” Basescu said.
Outlining Turkey’s investment into Romania, Basescu said that Romania has attached an importance to its infrastructural investments, as well as in its health, and agriculture areas.
The Romanian President talked about the possibility of Romania receiving an investment of 60 billion euros from the European Union.
"We invite Turkish investors to Romania with this big opportunity. Believe in Romania, come to Romania, and invest in Romania".
Basescu said that his most important message for Turkey was to believe in Romania and its sincerity.
"We have weathered the economic storm much earlier than most European countries, it is because of our government's bravery and determined mind," he added.
Basescu urged Turkey to step up its efforts to persuade the EU for opening all remaining chapters of its accession negotiations.
He emphasized the importance of the EU preparing a roadmap for the negotiations after it had resolved all technical details.
"As long as the chapters are blocked, there is no way for progress," the Romanian leader said. "Turkey will surely be a leading member of the Union after it meets all the political, financial and social criteria."
Turkey began full accession talks with the EU in 2005.
However, the process has proved less than smooth and concrete progress remains elusive; nearly 10 years on Turkey still needs to agree on one third of the negotiating 'chapters' or policy areas - required for membership - which is currently blocked by member states. The remaining chapters have still not opened for negotiations.
Turkey's EU Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has attended a private lunch meeting in the Greek Embassy on behalf of the European Union countries' ambassadors in Turkey.
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