EUROPEAN LAWMAKER EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP

Anadolu Agency
Oct 26 2009
Turkey

ANKARA (A.A) – 26.10.2009 – A European lawmaker voiced strong support
for Turkish membership in the European Union, urging concerted effort
for Turkey’s accession to the Union. "I believe in a dream of an EU
with Turkey in it. A Europe with Turkey as a part of it would make
greater contributions to peace," said Helen Flautre, co-chairwoman
of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission.

Flautre said Turkish government’s latest move to widen democratic
rights and freedoms was important for the democratization of country,
expressing support for also Turkey’s "zero problem policy" with
its neighbors.

"The protocols that Turkey signed with Armenia were even impossible
to dream of just a couple of years back," Flautre told a meeting of
the commission in Ankara, the Turkish capital.

Flautre said European Commission’s progress report on Turkey was
"cold and lacked optimism."

"Turkey has successfully made a number of reforms over the last few
years and the Turkish society is vibrant with its political and social
transformation," she said.