TURKEY LOBBY’S TORIES, IT WAS THE "BAKLAVA" THAT DONE IT!

London Daily News
12 October, 2009 11:51 (GMT +01:00)

Turkish lobby success at Conservative party conference, firm commitment
to Turkey’s EU aspirations

The effervescent Turkish lobby won the hearts of the Tories in
Manchester during conference with the traditional Turkish sweet
"baklava" to hand and a message that the "Conservative Friends of
Turkey" would be pushing for the continued strong support for Turkey’s
EU membership from the United Kingdom.

The Conservative Friends of Turkey also welcome the recent signing
of a protocol between Armenia and Turkey with a statement issued to
the London Daily News and said:

"Better ties between Turkey and Armenia could facilitate the role
of the Caucasus region as a corridor for Western-bound energy
supplies. Armenia would also stand to gain through trade links with
Turkey. CFT is pleased that this protocol will help smooth Turkey’s
path to EU membership as it solidifies her position as a diplomatic
force and gives her further influence in the Caucasus region. CFT
supports the ratification of the agreement in the hope that it will
bring Turkey and Armenia a step closer to solving the long-standing
dispute between them, as well as further recognition for Turkey as
a potential EU candidate."

The Cyprus issue was raised as one of the hurdles for Turkey to
resolve with renewed efforts from both sides to resolve the decades
long problem.

The Conservative Friends of Turkey (CFOT) stand became the focal
point for Greek Conservatives who applauded the efforts of the Turkish
lobby to garner support at the last party conference before a general
election; notably with newly selected Conservative parliamentary
candidate Andrew Charalambous becoming a new member of the Conservative
Friends of Turkey.

There is hope after all!

photo credit: Conservative Friends of Turkey L-R Mr Cetin, William
Hague, Ertan Hurer, Elcin Kurtulus