European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle has said relations and ties between Turkey and the European Union are strong and based on a long-term vision, but also complained of various problems in relations.

Füle, speaking at a dinner hosted by European Union Affairs Minister Egemen Bağış on Tuesday, July 12, said he and commission members are determined to do their best for Turkey’s membership negotiations, adding that the process has started again. “Your government had done much work to bring Turkey closer to the European Union,” Füle said.

Bağış said that it is now time “to realize the expectations of people regarding Turkey’s EU aspirations.” He said integration with the EU is a very important part of the government’s policy and that Turkey will work on it.

In addition, Füle met with the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu earlier on Tuesday. The TOBB chairman told reporters after the meeting that he was pleased with the content of the meeting and that he expressed to the EU commissioner that there is a need to speed up Turkey’s EU accession process, Today’s Zaman reported.