SWEDISH FM: EU TREATY HAS "NO RELIGIOUS CRITERIA" OVER TURKEY’S BID

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.11.2009 18:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ European Union (EU) Term President Swedish
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt asked on Wednesday those opposing Turkish
membership in the EU: "Did the enlargements to date take place because
the public opinion wanted them?"

Participating in a debate on the future enlargement of the EU at the
European Parliament (EP), Minister Bildt made comments to oppose those
against Turkish membership and those who wanted to end the membership
negotiations with Turkey and offer Turkey a privileged partnership
instead of full membership.

As far as I can see, far right deputies are against Turkish membership
in the EU due to its large population with a majority of Muslims. The
Treaty of Amsterdam and its Article no. 49 does not bring any
exceptions for big countries. This Treaty has no religious criteria,
Bildt stressed.

Article 49 states that the EU is founded on principles of freedom,
democracy, rule of law, human rights and basic freedoms. It states
that any European country displaying respect for such principles may
apply for full membership, Bildt also said.