Bağış: “EP members are engaging in anti-Turkish hostility”
Bağış stated that European Council President Juncker reacted to the participation of only 35 members in a meeting, adding: “In the European Parliament, when more than 400 members came and voted against Turkey in a decision concerning Turkey, I am sure he was greatly astonished. This is a mental eclipse and anti-Turkish hostility.”
Istanbul Aydın University (IAU) Western Platform organized a panel on Turkey-West Relations from a Historical Perspective. Former Minister of State and EU Affairs Egemen Bağış, who attended the panel, made important statements. Also attending the panel were AK Party MKYK Member and Es Yatırım Chairman of the Board Ethem Sancak and IAU President of the Board of Trustees Dr. Mustafa Aydın.
“EUROPE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A MASSIVE MENTAL ECLIPSE”
Bağış emphasized that relations with the West have always been an important issue, but have gained even more significance these days: “Turkey’s relations with the West have always been important, but especially today, in this traumatic web of relations, their perspective, history, and current reflections have become even more crucial.”
Criticizing the European Parliament’s recent decision on Turkey, Bağış stressed that Europe is currently experiencing a massive mental eclipse: “The decision taken by the European Parliament last week is completely against Europe’s interests. Just three days before that, when European Council President Jean-Claude Juncker went to the European Parliament, only 35 members were present to listen to him, and he criticized the Parliament for it. However, three days later, in a decision concerning Turkey, more than 400 members came and voted against Turkey. I am sure Juncker was greatly surprised by this. This is a mental eclipse and anti-Turkish hostility. This discrimination neither benefits Europe nor its people. Europeans should come to their senses, assess their relations with Turkey in terms of their own interests, and give importance to these relations. Of course, Turkey also has responsibilities. Those 400 or so deputies should not be allowed to be misled by chronic anti-Turkish actors like FETO or PKK. Therefore, we need to launch a promotional campaign, focus on communication, and make our presence felt more there.”
“RELATIONS WILL STRENGTHEN AFTER TRUMP”
Lastly, evaluating the question of how relations with the United States will be after Trump, Bağış said: “I think Trump, as a very pragmatic businessman, calculates the pros and cons of every issue. Turkey is one of the most important allies of the United States. As one of the rare countries that can combine Islamic culture with democratic culture, and with the second-largest military power in NATO after the U.S., Turkey is of great importance to Trump. When he evaluates the pros and cons, he will clearly see that Turkey is not like YPG, PKK, or some small states in the region. Trump is a shrewd politician who knows he cannot sideline a significant regional power like Turkey alongside a superpower like the U.S. Therefore, I believe that when Trump fully takes control in the U.S., he will further develop relations with Turkey.”
