‘Turkey’s human rights record is better than some countries in the EU’ - by Kurt Sansone

EU Affairs Minister and chief negotiator Egemen Bagis visiting Malta said Turkey has not been treated objectively but would not qualify the status quo as ‘being left out in the cold’. So far we have opened 13 of the 33 chapters (of the EU acquis, the body of laws every prospective member state has to adopt before accession). From the remaining chapters, 17 are politically blocked.

"We are trying to join the EU not a union of Christians. There are tens of millions of Muslims living in EU member states, including Malta, like there are Jews, Buddhists and atheists".

"However, if there were no political blocks we could easily become a member within two or three years because we have already completed 60 per cent of the integration process", said Egemen Bagis

For more: ‘Turkey’s human rights record is better than some in the EU’ - timesofmalta.com