Turkey's EU minister: AA's following Balkan geography is meaningful

BRUSSELS (A.A) – March 8, 2012 – Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis has said that Anadolu Agency's (AA) closely following Balkan geography was meaningful. Bagis congratulated AA which decided to broadcast stories in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian as of March 11. Bagis told AA on Thursday that this decision of AA showed one more time that Turkey was the most westerner country of Eastern world as well as the most easterner country of the Western world. On one hand, we are making progress on the path to EU membership, and on the other hand we are boosting relations with the countries in our east, north and south, said Bagis, adding that Turkey would fulfill its responsibilities to settle freedoms, stability and development in Balkans. Bagis said that AA, which was one of the leading agencies in the world in independent and objective journalism, was closely following Balkan geography, which was very meaningful. Noting that Turkey was a bridge between eastern and western worlds, Bagis said that Turkey, as a rising star of its region, would continue to be a source of inspiration for regional countries. Bagis said that Turkey was extending full support to Balkan countries' EU membership. Anadolu Agency (AA) will open a regional office in Balkans on March 11. The office will be based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and will broadcast stories in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian. AA will also provide images and photographs to the region. Turkey's Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina will host a reception at the Embassy Residence on March 10. Bakir Izzetbegovich, who will undertake the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 10, will inaugurate the office together with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag and AA Executive Board President and Director General Kemal Ozturk on March 11. AA Director General Kemal Ozturk will sign a protocol with the executives of leading TV channels, newspapers and internet news portals of the country and region. Under the agreement, press organizations can access to AA's broadcast in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian free of charge for one year.