Bagis told A.A after his meeting with Turkish and Czech businessmen in Prague that Turkey, which was the 6th biggest economy of Europe and the 17th of the world, also had the 4th biggest labor force of Europe.

Bagis said that EU president Czech Republic was positive towards Turkey's EU membership and it did not prevent opening of chapter headings in Turkey's EU membership negotiations.

Bagis also attended the luncheon which was hosted in his honor by Czech deputy premier Tomas Pojar. Turkey-EU relations and negotiation process were discussed during the luncheon.

Bagis will also meet Czech deputy prime minister Alexandr Vondra and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg later in the day.

He is expected to depart from Prague on Friday.

Military transport aircraft project

Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul also arrived in Prague to represent Turkey at a meeting of participant countries of the A400m military transport aircraft project.

Defense ministers of Turkey, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Italy, countries that are side to the project, attend the meeting that takes place upon an invitation from France.

EU defense industry unit carries out the project.

Gonul will also take part at EU defense minister troika meeting on Friday.


AA

Güncelleme Tarihi: 12 Mart 2009, 15:15