BRUSSELS (UPI)–Ankara received pledges of support for its accession to the European Union from the EU presidency and the European Commission despite modest opposition.
Olli Rehn, the EU commissioner for enlargement, said the commission is committed to the Turkish accession process following talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Brussels.
Rehn described Turkish membership to the European Union as a “fundamental interest” of the bloc, but added the accession process would be long, the EU Observer reports.
Turkey should continue its reform process by enhancing “fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, freedom of the media as well as women’s rights, trade union rights,” he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkey should receive a privileged partnership with the EU rather than full membership, while Greek officials oppose membership based on disputes over Cyprus.
Despite the opposition, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, whose country holds the European presidency, backed Turkish accession as did Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country assumes the presidency in July.
Turkey opened talks with the EU for membership in 2005.
Accesion of a non european nation ias a member of the EU, surely will trumpet the end of the EU, as we know it today. Turkey will be the largest single nation in the bloc. After Turkey, who else will follow ? Turkestan ?, Israel, ? North Africa ? . Are we certain that there is something remotely associated with Europe in this new EU model ? It should consider changing its name to something more representative of its character and representative entities. Abstruse, Machievelian machinations are being played out. Greece, a nation which endured 400 years of ottoman oppression and exploitation of the worst kind, is the leading proponent of turkish accession , instead of wielding the veto card. The Greeks seem oblivious to the fact that their small crowded territory would serve as a transit base and a ” colonizing” outpost by the million of anatolian hordes streaming into their new found territories. Maybe the Greeks would look forward, once again , to the day to come under the heel of the new ottoman pashas.
If Turkey is ever allowed to join EU, Europe as we now it will disappear in 100 years.Are the Muslim countries prepared to give us the same rights, opportinities, freedom of expression, freedom of religion in their states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, ect ect. NO NO NO
Turkey has no place in Europe, let them form a union of Muslim countries similar to EU, give them limited rights.
Has not Europe learned its lesson.