DUBLIN
Ireland is set to take over on January 1 the rotating helm of the EU presidency from the Greek Cypriot administration.
Appearing in a joint press conference with Creighton after the meeting, Bagis said he believed the Irish presidency would constitute "a major turning point" for Turkey-EU relations, adding that his country welcomed Ireland's "sincere efforts" to make progress in Ankara's accession bid.
"We do not expect the EU to be extra kind to us just because we are a wonderful country, but we do no want extra burden on our shoulders either," Bagis told reporters.
Bagis said Turkey also welcomed Ireland's willingness to open one or more chapters during the Irish presidency as well as the country's pragmatic approach to Turkey's demand for visa-free travel in the EU.
Creighton, on her part, said that Ireland wanted to accelerate the momentum in Turkey's talks to make solid achievements in the country accession talks.
"We want to open at least one policy chapter during our term," Creighton said, adding Turkey should be treated the same way any other candidate had been treated before it.
Turkey's negotiations process would help settle the Cyprus issue, adding that United Nations was the right place to solve the issue.
