Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 26
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Negotiations between the European Union and Turkey will continue at the same pace, new Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu said while assuming the ministerial powers, TRT Haber TV channel reported today.
"Turkey, represented by Egemen Bagis, reached significant progress in negotiations with the EU," he said. Formal negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU began in 2005.
After a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the new cabinet of ministers.
Ankara's MP Emrullah İsler was appointed Deputy Prime Minister instead of Bekir Bozdag. In turn, the latter was appointed Minister of Justice.
MP from the ruling party Lutfi Elvan was appointed Minister of Transport, Shipping and Communications. Ayshenur Islam was appointed Minister for Family and Social Policy. Mevlut Cavusoglu will head the Ministry for EU Affairs.
Fikri Isik Bilim was appointed Minister for Science, Industry and Technology, while Gulluce Idris becomes Environmental and Urban Development Minister.
Akif Cagatay Kılıc was appointed Youth and Sports Ministry, Nihat Zeybekci - Economy Ministe and Efkan Ala becomes Interior Minister.
Turkish Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan, Interior Minister Muammer Guler, Minister of Environment and Urban Planning Erdogan Bayraktar involved in the corruption scandal, resigned on Wednesday.
Translated by NH
Edited by SM