Kathimerini, Greece
Feb 9 2007
On US visit, Abdullah Gul says Turkey is `irresistible’ to EU
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Turkish foreign minister said yesterday that
the European Union will eventually offer membership to Turkey.
Despite the EU’s recent decision to partially freeze talks on
membership, Abdullah Gul said his government expects a long process
ending in Turkey’s accession. `I believe that the EU will realize the
strategic importance of Turkey soon enough and reverse its negative
approach,’ he said in a speech at the German Marshall Fund. Gul said
that Turkey’s importance to Europe as a Muslim-majority country on
the cusp of the Middle East with rising importance to the West as a
transit point for energy sources would make it irresistible. `The
effect of EU membership will be felt across the world,’ he said.
`There is too much at stake to fail.’ Gul also repeated warnings he
has made throughout his visit to Washington against a proposed
Congressional resolution that would recognize the World War I era
killings of Armenians at the end of the Ottoman Empire as genocide.
He said a resolution would insult the Turkish people.