SWIFT CHANGE IN POPE’S POLICY ON TURKEY

AZG Armenian Daily
01/06/2007

Pontific of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI has swiftly changed
his position on Turkey’s membership in the EU. Changes in the Pope’s
opinions seem to have first occurred after his visit to Turkey,
in the end of 2006.

Secretary of State of Vatican, Cardinal Bertone said on Tuesday that
dialogue with peoples and governments, which respect the principles
of civic society, should be established so as to build European and
world structures. He added this also implies membership in the EU.

"Le Figaro" newspaper, France, in connection with the shift in
Vatican’s policy notes that in 2005 Cardinal Reitzinger, future Pope
Benedict XVI, stated that granting Turkey EU membership would be
a historical mistake beyond amendment. But the Pope’s statement in
2006 against Islam aroused the dissatisfaction of the East, and during
his visit to Istanbul Benedict XVI tried to re-establish the dialogue
between Christianity and Islam and deny that he is an advocate of the
"impact of civilizations". Thus the Pope started perceiving Turkey as a
"bridge between the East and the West".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress