EU commission meets religious minority representatives in Turkey

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
9 Sep 04

Istanbul, 9 September: Turkey’s membership to the European Union
(EU) and the problems of minorities in Turkey were discussed during
the meeting of Guenter Verheugen, EU commissioner for enlargement,
in Fener Greek Patriarchate on Thursday [9 September].

Chief Rabbi of Jews in Turkey Ishak Haleva told reporters after the
meeting that they had a fruitful meeting with Verheugen. He added,
“everything is fine in Turkey after EU adjustment laws and the most
important thing is that there is goodwill.”

Meanwhile, Vatican’s representative in Turkey George Marovich said that
important progress was made regarding Turkey’s entry to the EU. He
added, “Turkish people deserve to be governed by democracy. Turkey
will bring richness to Europe with its accession to the EU. Europe
will also benefit from Turkey’s richness.”

The Syriac Catholic community’s representative, Yusuf Sag, told
reporters that Turkey’s membership to the EU and minority issues were
taken up during the meeting.

Patriarchate First Secretary Filadepfias, Chief Rabbi of Jews in
Turkey Ishak Haleva , Vatican’s representative in Turkey George
Marovich , Latin Catholic community’s representative Louis Pelatre,
Syriac Catholic community’s representative Yusuf Sag, and Armenian
Orthodox community’s representative Kirkor Damatyan joined the meeting
with Mr Verheugen.