"EU, Turkey and the agricultural sector
An interview of M. Mehdi Eker, Turkish Agriculture Minister
Kerem Balci
Monday 9 February 2009 - 07:00
Turkey entered 2009 with a promise to its European allies that the new year would be a year for Europe. The same promise was made in 2008, and that year was a loss for European Union harmonization efforts.
But this time the government seems to be sincere. Within the first few days of the year, the Third National Plan was approved by the president, and days after that, Cabinet established a new EU Ministry and appointed Egemen Bağış as the chief negotiator and the EU minister. Today’s Zaman has decided to keep an eye on the activities of the government on the EU front. Our first stop was Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker’s office. Eker assures Today’s Zaman readers that although the three chapters that relate to his ministry will most probably be opened at the very end of the negotiation process, Turkey is already working hard in ensure its compliance with these chapters."
More:EU, Turkey and the agricultural sector - Turquie Européenne - Monday 9 February 2009 - Actualités de la Turquie et traductions de la presse turque
