Former Turkish minister: EU to weaken following UK’s leaving

Baku, Azerbaijan, June 24 By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend: The UK’s leaving the EU will weaken the union, Egemen Bagis, former Turkish minister for EU affairs, told Trend June 24. Bagis said that the Brexit referendum results can also serve as an example for other countries. Britons held a referendum June 23 on whether the UK should to stay in the European Union, or leave it. The voting results indicate that the campaign to leave the EU, known as the Brexit, has won with 51.9 percent of the votes. Bagis expressed the hope that the UK’s decision will be a lesson for some circles, which made anti-Turkish decisions under the influence of the Armenian diaspora in Europe. "Those who tested the UK’s patience must also understand that Turkey's patience concerning joining the EU is not unlimited," he said. Bagis said that Turkey's position on joining the EU is clear, but the EU used double standards in relation to Turkey. "When I was appointed minister and chief negotiator with the EU, I felt the EU’s historical view on Turkey during all negotiations," he said. He also stressed that the EU admitted the countries which were the members of the Warsaw Pact, without taking into account the EU basic criteria. "It is worth thinking why the EU applies double standards towards Turkey, which is a NATO member, and made many efforts to promote democratic values,” he said. “Maybe if Turkey were a member of the Warsaw Pact, it would become the EU member.” --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu