Former German Chancellor Schroeder backs Turkey's EU bid

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said here on Monday that Turkey's future lied in full membership of the European Union (EU).

Speaking in a conference on "Leadership for Sustainable Success," Schroeder said he regretted that the EU does not appreciate Turkey's role in solving regional conflicts.

"Turkey's accession will bring considerable benefits to Europe," he continued. "Over the decades, Turkey has been a reliable partner for Germany and Europe in general."

"The vital importance of Turkey's accession is that Turkey serves as a model for other Muslim countries in our European neighborhood," he said, adding that a democratic Turkey is proof that there is "no contradiction between the Islamic faith and an enlightened society."

He called for the continuation of reforms in Turkey and for patience about the EU membership bid.

"Europe can survive the challenges of globalization only if it pursues a common internal market policy and external enlargement process," the former chancellor said.

Schroeder said that "Europe should be the third pole in the world. We will only succeed if the EU continues its internal integration policy and its external enlargement, by building bridges to Arab countries through Turkey's accession process."

He also said ongoing negotiations with Turkey should serve full membership only.

Efforts must be made to inform the Turkish public about the EU and to convince those who are actually against Turkish membership in the EU, Schroeder stressed.

Turkey's changing direction from the EU would be wrong for the Turkish people and Turkey itself, Schroeder added.

Turkey's application to accede to the EU (previously the European Communities) was made on April 14, 1987.

Turkey started its negotiation for EU membership in 2005, but with France leading the opposing group with some other EU members, it only opened talks with 11 of the 35 policy areas that candidates must complete.


Source: Xinhua