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BRITISH PM PRESSES FOR TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION
Ekklesia
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12724
July 27 2010
UK
British PM David Cameron says he will "fight" for Turkey's accession
to the European Union, despite the slow pace of negotiations.
Those opposed to Turkey joining the EU have cited a variety of reasons,
including the country's poor human rights record and fears of a
Muslim-majority country - albeit with a strong secular tradition -
being at the heart of Europe.
Proponents say that while reform is necessary, and contentious
questions like Turkey's denial of the 1915-23 Armenian Genocide
(http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/tags/3873) remain to be faced, these will
be more fruitfully dealt with inside rather than outside the Union.
Pope Benedict XVI has in the past expressed disquiet about possible
Turkish EU accession, but has gradually changed his view on the matter.
However, a raft of political, economic and procedural issues have
delayed progress on achieving membership.
On his first visit to Turkey as prime minister, Mr Cameron said the
country could become a "great European power", helping build links
with the Middle East.
He also compared hostility to the membership bid in some parts of
the EU with the way the UK's entry was once regarded.
Mr Cameron is expected to agree a new strategic partnership with
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during his visit.
Cynics say that he also hopes that robust support for Turkey's EU
membership will also secure reciprocal support for the more reserved
and sheltered position within Europe which Mr Cameron favours for the
UK - leading, as he does, a party with a high number of 'Euro-sceptics'
in it.
In his speech at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Mr Cameron said
he wanted to "pave the road" for Turkey to join the EU, as a country
"vital for our economy, vital for our security and vital for our
diplomacy".
A European Union without Turkey at its heart was "not stronger but
weaker... not more secure but less... not richer but poorer".
He added: "I'm here to make the case for Turkey's membership of the
EU. And to fight for it."
Commentators suggest that despite the many reform questions facing
its institutions, actual contact with the EU has in practice, as with
modern economic and political realities, blunted the scepticism of
those who have in the past traded on anti-EU rhetoric.
From: A. Papazian
Ekklesia
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12724
July 27 2010
UK
British PM David Cameron says he will "fight" for Turkey's accession
to the European Union, despite the slow pace of negotiations.
Those opposed to Turkey joining the EU have cited a variety of reasons,
including the country's poor human rights record and fears of a
Muslim-majority country - albeit with a strong secular tradition -
being at the heart of Europe.
Proponents say that while reform is necessary, and contentious
questions like Turkey's denial of the 1915-23 Armenian Genocide
(http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/tags/3873) remain to be faced, these will
be more fruitfully dealt with inside rather than outside the Union.
Pope Benedict XVI has in the past expressed disquiet about possible
Turkish EU accession, but has gradually changed his view on the matter.
However, a raft of political, economic and procedural issues have
delayed progress on achieving membership.
On his first visit to Turkey as prime minister, Mr Cameron said the
country could become a "great European power", helping build links
with the Middle East.
He also compared hostility to the membership bid in some parts of
the EU with the way the UK's entry was once regarded.
Mr Cameron is expected to agree a new strategic partnership with
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during his visit.
Cynics say that he also hopes that robust support for Turkey's EU
membership will also secure reciprocal support for the more reserved
and sheltered position within Europe which Mr Cameron favours for the
UK - leading, as he does, a party with a high number of 'Euro-sceptics'
in it.
In his speech at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Mr Cameron said
he wanted to "pave the road" for Turkey to join the EU, as a country
"vital for our economy, vital for our security and vital for our
diplomacy".
A European Union without Turkey at its heart was "not stronger but
weaker... not more secure but less... not richer but poorer".
He added: "I'm here to make the case for Turkey's membership of the
EU. And to fight for it."
Commentators suggest that despite the many reform questions facing
its institutions, actual contact with the EU has in practice, as with
modern economic and political realities, blunted the scepticism of
those who have in the past traded on anti-EU rhetoric.
From: A. Papazian