Bagis said that a number of countries are still putting up roadblocks. He singled out Cyprus, which is blocking numerous chapters amid its dispute with Turkey over the status of the northern part of the island. The island was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Turkish Cypriots declared an independent northern state in 1983, recognized only by Turkey.
Bagis expressed optimism about new talks to resolve the issue, but he said that Cyprus was blocking critical chapters and argued that progress could benefit both sides. He cited the chapter on energy, noting that Turkey is a key transit country for energy supplies to Europe.
"One member state is hijacking the energy interests of 500 million Europeans just because they could," he said.
Despite frustration in Turkey, Bagis praised the European Union's prescriptions for reform. He has often compared Brussels to a dietitian. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently bristled at European Union criticism in an annual appraisal of Turkey's bid and suggested that Europe should focus on its own problems. But Bagis says the process is good for Turkey.
"The fact that the dietitian itself is overweight or has a few clogged arteries or is even moody these days, doesn't necessarily make the prescription bad," he said.
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