Verheugen Says EU Needs Turkey’s Unity

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Jan 22 2007

BURSA – Vice President of the European Commission Guenter Verheugen
said Saturday that they know the difficulties regarding Turkey`s
accession to the European Union and noted that these difficulties
will be tackled.

Verheugen said EU needs Turkey`s unity in terms of security,
development and especially living in peace.

Guenter Verheugen inaugurated an EU Coordination Center, established
by the municipality in northwestern city of Bursa, where he came to
visit a shelter that was built for stray animals.

After his tour of the shelter, Verheugen said he was extremely
impressed by what he saw today. Verheugen said he had always expressed
that Turkey should harmonize with EU standards but this time he changed
his mind after what he saw today. Ha said EU countries should follow
Turkey this time as the shelter was such a modern facility.

Commenting on Turkey`s membership to EU, Verheugen said he believes
difficulties will be tackled.

Stating that there are misunderstandings and mistakes about the issue,
Verheugen said the only way to overcome those is to tell the truth
all the time.

He said the fact is Turkey normally has a European location, culture
and lifestyle.

Underscoring that Turkey showed improvement on its path to EU
membership, Verheugen stressed that Turkish people should be proud
of it. He said Europe has to admit it as well.

Responding to a question on the murder of journalist Hrant Dink,
editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos,
Verheugen noted that Turkey is presented very differently to the world.

He said some people want to show Turkey as a country of violence and
hatred. Verheugen said it should not be allowed.

On the other hand, executives of the shelter gave a dog to Verheugen
and his wife as a gift.

The shelter for stray animals cost 3 million YTL and is said to be
the most modern and biggest facility in Europe.