|
UK push for Turky membership:
Cameron wants Turkey in EU
TURKY: British Prime Minister David Cameron promised Tuesday to fight
for Turkey to join the European Union and will dismiss opponents of
Turkish membership as protectionist or prejudiced. Turkey has begun the
slow process of accession talks with the 27-member EU, but the bloc is
deeply divided over whether it should be given full membership. France
has taken the strongest stand against Turkish entry.
On his first visit to the country since becoming Prime Minister in
May, Cameron will say Turkey would bring greater prosperity and
political stability to the bloc thanks to its vast economic potential
and growing influence in the volatile Middle East and central Asia.
“So I will remain your strongest possible advocate for EU membership
and for greater influence at the top table of European diplomacy. This
is something I feel very passionately about,” Cameron will say,
according to excerpts from a speech provided in advance by British
officials.
“Together, I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels,” he
will say in the speech, to be delivered at the Union of Chambers of
Commerce and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, an influential business
organisation.
The speech draws a parallel between Turkey and Britain, which was
initially prevented from joining the EU by France’s veto before finally
entering the club in 1973.
“We know what it’s like to be shut out of the club. But we also know
that these things can change,” he will say.
The remarks will set Cameron on a collision course with French
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who promised in his election campaign in 2007
to stand firm against Turkish accession, citing cultural differences and
concern over the bloc’s political cohesion.
“When I think about what Turkey has done to defend Europe as a NATO
ally, and what Turkey is doing today in Afghanistan alongside our
European allies, it makes me angry that your progress towards EU
membership can be frustrated in the way it has been,” Cameron will say.
“My view is clear. I believe it’s just wrong to say Turkey can guard
the camp but not be allowed to sit inside the tent.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while less outspoken on the issue
than Sarkozy, has appeared reluctant to embrace Turkish accession.
Herman Van Rompuy spoke out against Turkey’s bid to join before he
became EU president.
Ankara, Tuesday, Reuters |
