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US warns against Muslim-Christian clash over Turkey
28/05/2005 - 09:35:32
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has warned that the failure of the
European Union to eventually admit Turkey could have dire consequences.
She said it was important that Turkey be admitted after it meets EU
standards "because what we cannot afford to have is a divide between Turkey
and the rest of Europe".
She said that "might look like what was once described as the clash of
civilisations" between Muslim Turkey and Christian Europe.
"That would be a very terrible thing," she said.
Rice made her comments after a speech at the Commonwealth Club, responding
to a question about the ratification of a new EU constitution. French voters
appear likely to vote against the constitution in a referendum tomorrow.
Turkey is to start membership talks in October. Many Europeans worry about
admitting the relatively poor country and some see that as a factor in
opposition to the constitution.
Rice said she didn't want to say anything that could be perceived as
intervening in the debate over the constitution. She noted the importance of
the US-European relationship and said that the prospect of membership in the
EU has served as incentive for nations in central and eastern Europe to move
toward democracy.
"We believe that the European Union has been a source of stability and hope
that it can continue its efforts toward integration and unification," she
said.
US warns against Muslim-Christian clash over Turkey
28/05/2005 - 09:35:32
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has warned that the failure of the
European Union to eventually admit Turkey could have dire consequences.
She said it was important that Turkey be admitted after it meets EU
standards "because what we cannot afford to have is a divide between Turkey
and the rest of Europe".
She said that "might look like what was once described as the clash of
civilisations" between Muslim Turkey and Christian Europe.
"That would be a very terrible thing," she said.
Rice made her comments after a speech at the Commonwealth Club, responding
to a question about the ratification of a new EU constitution. French voters
appear likely to vote against the constitution in a referendum tomorrow.
Turkey is to start membership talks in October. Many Europeans worry about
admitting the relatively poor country and some see that as a factor in
opposition to the constitution.
Rice said she didn't want to say anything that could be perceived as
intervening in the debate over the constitution. She noted the importance of
the US-European relationship and said that the prospect of membership in the
EU has served as incentive for nations in central and eastern Europe to move
toward democracy.
"We believe that the European Union has been a source of stability and hope
that it can continue its efforts toward integration and unification," she
said.