Balkans | An international conference on the European Union meets with the Balkan countries in Sofia

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcabar stated that Turkey wants to become a member of the European Union and said, “The process of enlarging the European Union must continue and advance based on reliable and concrete criteria.” He said.

Under the patronage of Ilhan Kucuk, MEP and Co-President of the European Liberal Marriage Seal (ALDE), an international conference on “The European Union Meets the Balkans” was held in the capital, Sofia.

Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Burak Aksabar, Turkey’s Ambassador to Sofia Aylin Itkok, historian and author Prof. Dr. doctor. Elber O’Reilly co.

At the conference, the enlargement of the European Union, the Balkans, Turkey’s foreign policy and the hundred-year tradition of diplomacy were discussed.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) after the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Aksabar said, “The process of enlarging the European Union must continue and advance in a credible and concrete way.” He said.

Akcabar said, “We support the process of membership of the Balkan countries in the European Union. We want to be a member of the European Union. We believe that when the process of enlarging the European Union is completed by including all 10 countries, Europe will be safer and more prosperous. Turkey’s roles are inevitable here, they are necessary “. He said.

Akshapar touched on the process of enlarging the European Union with regard to the Balkan countries, and stated that peace strategies play an important role in the process of joining the Balkan countries to the European Union.

Akcabar continued his words as follows:

Although Turkey is a potential EU member, it has been waiting too long to gain membership in the process. (in negotiations) We are not the cause of this stagnation. We are looking forward to it opening up and moving on.”

Pointing out that Turkey is an integral part of Europe, Akcabar said, “As Turkey, we are one of the most contributing countries to freedom, security and prosperity in Europe.” Use his statements.

100 years of Turkish diplomacy

the professor. doctor. Elber Ortayli also delivered a speech on Turkey’s foreign policy at the conference.

Recalling that the relations between Bulgaria and Turkey were very good until the communist regime came to power in Bulgaria in 1944, Ortayli said that as a result of the repressive policy implemented by the Communists against the Turks and Muslims in Bulgaria in 1989, 300,000 people emigrated, and this is what caused industrial and agricultural Turkey, he explained. It contributed to the development of the sector.

Pointing out that Turkey is historically and geographically part of the Balkans, not alongside Russia and China, Ortayli said that there is a minority of representatives of other countries in every country in the Balkans.

ALDE Co-Chair Ilhan Kucuk stated that the efforts and possibilities of Turkey’s membership in the European Union are constantly being discussed, and said, “Should Turkey continue on the path of EU membership? Of course it should continue, if there is an intention to reform. If it is ( Turkey) will become part of its geopolitical path outside the European Union, I would say yes. Use his statements.

The Ambassador of Turkey in Sofia, Aylin Etcuk, also touched on the development of friendly relations, good neighborliness and alliance between Bulgaria and Turkey in the NATO environment.

At the conference, which was also attended by representatives of the EU Commission with various speeches, the situation with the Russian war on Ukraine and issues of NATO expansion were discussed.

source: AA