Schussel: I am Pessimistic About Turkey’s Membership

Published: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 Zaman Newspaper

Austrian Prime Minister, Wolfgang Schussel, disclosed he was
pessimistic about Turkey’s European Union (EU) membership due to the
EU’s capacity.

Schussel spoke to the German Frankfurter, Allgemeine Zeitung. He
was asked “Why are you against Turkey’s membership?” “I say, `yes’
to negotiations with Turkey. Turkey’s membership is not impossible in
the long-run. However, due to the maturity level of this country and
the EU’s limited capacity, I believe it is necessary to seek another
alternative instead of full membership,” Schussel replied.