ANKARA CALLS ON EU NOT TO FEAR TURKEY: ASSISTANT TO PREMIER
Trend News Agency
Feb 1 2008
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, Baku 31 January / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / Ankara states
that the European Union (EU) should not fear Turkey’s power.
"Turkey’s entry to the EU will greatly contribute to the organization,"
Ali Sarikaya, assistant to the Turkish Premier said in a telephone
talk from Ankara on 31 January. He was commenting on statements the
heads of France and Germany made on 30 January.
Addressing the conference on the future of Europe titled ‘To Build
Together Our Future’ French President Nicola Sarkozy and German
Chancellor Angela Merkel made statements against Turkey and the EU.
There is no room for Turkey at the EU because it is placed in Small
Asia… If we continue expanding the EU too much, we will terminate
the political Europe, the French President stated.
Since the 2004 talks on Turkey’s entry to EU have been launched. The
major cause for delaying Turkey’s membership at the EU are the Kurdish
problem, Turkey’s non-fulfillment of demands for opening the border
with Armenia and recognition of ‘Armenian genocide’ by Ottoman Empire
in 1915.
Experts said that one of the major reasons for such positions by
France and Germany is the understanding that Turkey’s membership
at the EU will make the unofficial top three of the EU – France,
Germany and UK, in a tight squeeze. Turkey with its vast territory,
large population, tremendous economic and geopolitical significance,
will comprise the leading ‘four’ of Europe.
"The EU should think about its future and Turkey can contribute
greatly to the development of the organization as compared to other
EU member-countries,’ Sarikaya said.
In accordance with the statistics for 2005, Turkey has the population
of 73 million people. Over 25 national minorities live in the
country. Turks comprise the major part of the country’s population.
There are approximately 80,000 mosques in the territory of the
country. Turkey possesses army which is the second for the number
and mint following NATO. The annual sale of armaments at the Turkish
market amounts from $3mln to $5mln.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress