US Defence Secretary Gates blames EU for Turkey 'drift'

Robert Gates said Turkey may have been "pushed by some in Europe" away from the EU and into closer partnerships with states like Iran.Turkey has been put on the path to EU membership, but countries like France and Germany are openly opposed.

"The deterioration in the relationship between Turkey and Israel over the past year-or-so is a matter of concern," Mr Gates said during a visit to London. "I think the two had a pretty constructive relationship and one that contributed to stability in the region, and I hope that, over time, that kind of constructive relationship can be re-established," he added.

"I personally think that if there is anything to the notion that Turkey is, if you will, moving eastward, it is, in my view, in no small part because it was pushed, and pushed by some in Europe refusing to give Turkey the kind of organic link to the West that Turkey sought."

Note EU-Digest: this is not very clever talk by Mr. Gates. Turkey obviously is playing all its cards to force the EU to accept Turkey into the Union without having to live up to some basic EU requirements which includes a variety of issues. The most important being the Cyprus question.
The US can not be allowed to influence EU policies on EU membership requirements and Mr. Gates should know so or be told so..


For more: BBC News - US Defence Secretary Gates blames EU for Turkey 'drift'