Hungary will support Turkey in entering the EU

Hungary is ready to support Turkey in entering the European Union. Head of Turkish Department for Relations with the EU Egemen Bagis during his visit to Hungary was able to convince the Hungarian government to lobby the interests of its southern neighbor in the European official circles.

Egemen Bagis’s visit to Hungary is stipulated by the growth of pessimistic sentiment in Turkey, which is caused by the refusal of the EU to negotiate on a number of points necessary for the country's entry into the Union.

Five years ago Turkey began accession negotiations with the EU administration. Currently one of the main problems in the negotiations is Turkey's unwillingness to recognize the occupation of the part of Cyprus Island. At the same time, according to the Turkish side, the slow pace of negotiations may also be caused by fears of the biggest powers of the EU - France and Germany - to take into the union a huge Islamic country.

Hungary has promised Turkey to accelerate the consideration of its adoption to the EU in the near future. On January 1, 2010 Hungary becomes the next president-country of the EU.

At the time, Turkey has supported the accession of Hungary to NATO. The Turkish minister said that now is the time for Hungary's goodwill to assist in accelerating the negotiation process.

Turkish Minister Egemen Bagis made emphasis on Nabucco gas pipeline project - important for Europe energy project, which terms of implementation are also linked with the progress in the negotiations.

In turn, the head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry said that it will actively support Turkey in the negotiations during the six-month presidency of Hungary in the EU.