Nov. 5 a turning point for Turkey-EU relations: Bagis

The island has been divided into Greek and Turkish sides since a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by a Turkish peace mission to aid Turkish Cypriots in the north in 1974.

Turkey will open chapter 22, which regulates regional policies, on November 5 in Brussels after three years.

No new chapters were opened in the past three years, mostly due to the Cyprus issue, and blocks by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who opposed Turkey's EU membership.

"November 5 is a turning point in Turkish-EU relations. Because for the first time after a three year gap, we will be opening a new chapter," Bagis said. 

 Reminding of the European Union’s annual progress report on Turkey  which was released on October 16, Bagis said it was objective and neutral and called on parties to open chapters 23 and 24.

"Everyone knows that Turkey is ready and willing to open both of those two chapters... We will continue to take reform steps to make living in this country better and opening chapters would only motivate us further," Bagis said. 

Meanwhile Ruijten stressed the importance of the reforms Turkey needs to undertake as Turkey would be a more modern and prosperous country after reforming its society. 

"Turkey should have an independent and impartial justice, and the rights of individuals and collective rights should not only be laid down in the legislation, but also in the minds of people. It should be the absolute commitment of Turkey to go in the same direction as the EU," she said. 

Stating that there was a slow down in Turkey's reforms, Ruijten said she also observed other problems in Turkey including freedom of press. 

When asked  whether a new term would really start between the EU and Turkey after November 5 with the opening of  a new chapter, Ruijten said, "We are giving a new start to the negotiations  It is a new stage in the negotiation process and what is more important for Turkey to work on the Copenhagen criteria  judiciary, individual rights, press and media freedom."

- Turkey's headscarf issue

Ruijten said women should be allowed to wear headscarves if they choose, referring to the issue of women wearing headscarves in Turkish Parliament. 

"However wearing a headscarf should not be an obligation for the rest of the society. Everybody should be free," she said. 

Turkey is taking steps to assure that everyone should be able to live freely, Bagis added. 

Ruijten also commented on criticisms of the government by Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) by calling on the government to consider minority interests, and on the opposition to be a constructive and cooperative opposition. 

englishnews@aa.com.tr