Zaman, Turkey
Dec 15 2006

Armenian Patriarch Urges EU to Continue with Turkey
By Sezai Kalayci, Istanbul
Friday, December 15, 2006
zaman.com

Patriarch Mesrob II, the head of the Armenian Orthodox Church in
Turkey, sent out a letter to the leaders of all European countries
asking them to support Turkey’s EU bid during the European Council
meeting.

The letter was sent on Dec. 12 to 23 EU leaders, except Greek and
Greek Cypriot leaders.

Mesrob Mutafian reminded EU leaders the obligations of the union and
asked them to fulfill their promises.

The Armenian patriarch said Mustafa Kemal urged Turkey in the 1920s
to turn to the West, adding: `It is of utmost significance that the
EU should not force Turkey to fulfill multifaceted conditions and
derail negotiations, while ignoring its obligations.’

Mutafian said as the leader of the Armenian Orthodox community he
wanted to convey his opinions and concerns ahead of the council
meeting started the previous day, and indicated that EU leaders’
decision regarding Turkey would have impacts in a wide context.

The current impasse over Turkey-EU relations would put Turkey’s
accession process to the union in a risky position, the Patriarch
said, adding: `This critical period should be handled with
responsibility.’