AZG Armenian Daily #241, 16/12/2006

Diaspora

ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE WARNS THE EUROPEAN STATES NOT TO
FAIL THE QUESTION OF TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP

The EU Summit at Brussels is to finish up today. As it is well known
the participants of the summit were inclined to stop negotiating the 8
terms of Turkey’s membership and to delay the determination of a
certain date for Turkey’s commitments on Cyprus. In this respect, the
Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Mesrob II Mutafian addressed the
heads of the European states.

The Patriarch’s message, dated December 12, was published on "Abhaber"
(Turkish version of Euronews) website. On December 14 "Miliet" also
responded to this message.

The Turkish newspaper says that on December 15, 2006 the Patriarch
addressed the kings, queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign
Ministers of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain,
Sweden, Netherlands and the UK, expressing his attitude to the issue
of Turkey’s membership in the EU. "On December 14 the EU is to make a
vital decision concerning Turkey’s membership. That decision will
have a multiple effect," "Milliet" reports Mesrob II’s words. The
Patriarch expressed his concerns with the difficulties in EU-Turkey
relations. To his opinion EU membership is a priority for the people
of Turkey and that the promises of the EU have brought forth
considerable progress in the country. Due to the reforms the
situation with the rights of the Turkish citizens and religious and
ethnic minorities has improved. The Patriarch assured that the
progressive reforms are likely to proceed. He said that Turkey’s
membership will have positive effect not on Turkey only but also on
the whole Europe. He expressed hope that the EU will not fail Turkey’s
attempts for membership achievement by the means of imposing newer and
newer demands.

By Hakob Chakrian

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress