Obama backs Turkey EU accession

Story from BBC NEWS:
europe/7984762.stm

Published: 2009/04/05 21:01:17 GMT

US President Barack Obama has arrived in Turkey on a two-day visit,
after giving his support to Ankara’s efforts to join the European
Union.

He said Turkey’s accession to the EU would send an important signal to
the Muslim world and firmly anchor the country in Europe.

But French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was up to the EU itself
to decide who joined the bloc.

Correspondents say security is extremely tight for Mr Obama’s visit.

Snipers and riot police have been deployed and military aircraft are
patrolling a no-fly zone over Ankara, AP news agency reported.
OBAMA’S TRANSATLANTIC VISIT

* 2 April: G20 summit in London
* 3 April: Obama meets Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany
* 4 April: Leaders hold Nato summit in Strasbourg
* 5 April: Obama in Prague for US-EU summit
* 6-7 April: Obama visits Turkey

Almost 9,000 police will be deployed for Mr Obama’s visit to Turkey’s
largest city, Istanbul, which begins late on Monday.

Several small groups have been holding anti-US demonstrations in both
cities, the AP said.

The visit is Mr Obama’s first to a majority Muslim country as
president, and only his second purely bilateral visit after Canada.

The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Ankara says the fact that he chose to
come to Turkey so early has been welcomed as a sign that he wants to
re-engage with it.

Public support for the US dropped to a record low during the Bush
administration, fuelled mostly by fierce opposition to the invasion of
Iraq, she says.

‘Mutual respect’
Speaking in Prague earlier on Sunday, Mr Obama said Turkey’s entry
into the EU would help to consolidate its position as a Western
nation.

"The United States and Europe must approach Muslims as our friends,
neighbours and partners in fighting injustice, intolerance and
violence, forging a relationship based on mutual respect and mutual
interest," he said.

"Mo membership in the EU would be an important signal of your
commitment to this agenda and ensure that we continue to anchor Turkey
firmly in Europe."

But Mr Sarkozy said he had always been opposed to Turkey’s EU entry.

"I have been working hand-in-hand with President Obama but when it
comes to the European Union it’s up to member states of the European
Union to decide," he told French TV.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that while close links with
Turkey were important, its future status in Europe was still open for
discussion.

The EU agreed to open accession talks with Ankara in 2004, but in
recent years, correspondents say, Turkey has made little progress with
democratic reforms which would improve its chances of membership.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress