EU losing credibility in Turkish public opinion, Bagis says

Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for European Union (EU) talks Egemen Bagis said Sunday that the EU was losing credibility in Turkish public opinion.
In a meeting with Spanish journalists at the Ortakoy Office of the Secretariat General of the European Union, Bagis said that Turkey’s "plan A was full membership. However, Turkey is implementing the plan B currently".
Turkey has certain expectations from the EU. On top of our expectations is a fair negotiations process, Bagis told the Spanish journalists.
Out of 32 chapters, 13 have been opened to negotiations. Other chapters could not be opened due to political reasons. Such an attitude makes things difficult. Yet, as the Turkish government, we are trying to bring Turkey and Europe closer to each other, Bagis said.
Touching on the issue of terrorism, Bagis said that Turkey did not witness the necessary cooperation desired from Europe in the fight against terrorism.
The two sides must further develop cooperation against terrorism. While Turkey extends full support in the fight against Al-Qaeda, PKK terrorists arrested in Europe are being released, Bagis told the Spanish journalists.
In regard to Cyprus, Bagis said that this issue should not be used as an obstacle in Turkey’s entry negotiations.
Asked if Turkey had a plan B regarding the EU process, Bagis said that the EU was losing credibility in Turkish public opinion.
Turkey’s plan A in the EU process was full membership. We are presently implementing the plan B, Bagis said.
Reminded about the recent incidents in Libya and asked whether Turkey could be a model for the countries of the region, Egemen Bagis said that the deaths taking place in Libya were saddening.
The bloodshed must stop in Libya. Civilians there are losing lives. Every country has a different history, past, culture and system. Implementing the Turkish model there is impossible, Bagis said.
In regard to a question on the upcoming elections in Turkey, Bagis said that the Justice and Development (AK) Party will win the elections and will be stronger than it is today.