Cameron 'anger' at slow pace of Turkish EU negotiations

David Cameron has promised to "fight" for Turkey's membership of the European Union, saying he is "angry" at the slow pace of negotiations.

On his first visit as prime minister, he said the country could become a "great European power", helping build links with the Middle East. He compared hostility to the membership bid in some parts of the EU with the way the UK's entry was once regarded.

After his visit to Turkey, Mr Cameron will travel on to India.

He will be joined by a host of British business leaders as he seeks to boost trade links with one of the world's fastest growing economies. Mr Cameron is expected to agree a new strategic partnership with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during his visit.

'Frustrating progress'

In a speech at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Mr Cameron said he wanted to "pave the road" for Turkey to join the EU, saying the country was "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". Mr Cameron added: "I'm here to make the case for Turkey's membership of the EU and to fight for it."

Referring to former French President General Charles de Gaulle's efforts to block British membership of the EU in the 1960s, he said: "We know what it's like to be shut out of the club. But we also know that these things can change.

"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.

"My view is clear. I believe it is just wrong to say that Turkey can guard the camp but not be allowed to sit in the tent. "So I will remain your strongest possible advocate for EU membership and greater influence at the top table of European diplomacy."

Turkey opened accession negotiations with the EU in 2005 but is considered very unlikely to join in the next 10 years, partly because of opposition from countries such as France.

Its refusal to recognise EU member Cyprus, growing support for pro-Islamic parties on the mainland and the treatment of the Kurdish minority in the country all remain potential stumbling blocks.

Since 2005, only 11 out of 35 "negotiating chapters" relating to accession talks have been opened for discussion and only one has been "provisionally closed".

Posted by CBN Staff on 30 Jul 2010 [05:50] | Comments 0 |

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