Reuters AlertNet
"EU-member Turkey would be 'bridge' to Islam - Rehn
05 Aug 2006 11:05:03 GMT
By Terhi Kinnunen
HELSINKI, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The war in the Middle East boosts the significance of Turkey's bid to join the European Union where it could serve as the bloc's 'bridge' with Islam, top EU enlargement official Olli Rehn said.
Rehn told Finnish newspapers in comments published on Saturday that a moderate and democratic Turkey was of strategic importance to Europe and that if the country fulfilled entry criteria it must be allowed to join the 25-member bloc.
"The importance of negotiations with Turkey has increased in light of the military conflict in Lebanon because Turkey is a moderate Islamic society and secular democratic state," said Rehn, Enlargement Commissioner at the EU's executive Commission.
"If it (Turkey) will fulfil membership requirements, it could be even more stronger bridge between Europe and Islam.""
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