Turkey insist EU objections based on religion

Daily Star, Lebanon
Oct 12 2004

AFP.Turkey’s ambassador to France said in an interview published on
Monday that his country’s would have “no problem” joining the European
Union if it were Christian and that its Muslim heritage is the real
issue behind the current debate.

“The real motive for this reticence, especially in France, is
religion,” Uluc Ozulker told the daily Le Parisien. “If Turkey were
Christian, there would be no problem. But, voila, we are a Muslim
country.”

The ambassador noted that Turkey is a secular state and has been for
more than eight decades since the nation’s founding father, Mustafa
Kemal Ataturk, instituted reforms.

Ozulker spoke as debate rose in France over Turkey’s eventual
membership in the European Union, which currently counts 25 members.

President Jacques Chirac reiterated on Sunday that “it is the French
people who will have the last word,” a reference to his plan for
France to hold a referendum on the subject. That could be a potentially
fatal blow to Turkey’s aspirations since EU members must unanimously
approve any nation’s application for membership.

Chirac supports Turkey’s membership but thinks it will take up to 15
years for it to join.

The French Parliament is to debate the issue before the EU summit
Dec. 17 when leaders are to finalize an initial approval of membership
talks.

Ozulker said that Europe “is not a Christian enclave” and that
Turkey’s joining the EU “will not denature Europe” despite its some
70 million-strong population.

“We share the same democratic values as the 25,” he said, adding that
Turkey is already part of the customs union.

Asked if Turkey would recognize the Armenian genocide, the ambassador
said that it has yet to be proven.

“It’s up to international and impartial historians to meet and decide,”
Ozulker said. “We will accept the results of their work.”

Meanwhile, Germany’s conservative opposition kept up efforts to keep
Turkey out of the European Union, proposing to start a signature
campaign against opening the way to full EU membership.