FRANCE OPPOSES TO ENTRY OF TURKEY IN EU
ArmInfo
2009-04-06 13:05:00
ArmInfo. President of the United States Barack Obama said at an EU-
US summit in the Czech capital that he declared for entry of Turkey
in the European Union. This statement was sharply criticized by French
leader Nicolas Sarkozy and well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
As Euobserver reported, B. Obama said, in particular: ‘The United
States and Europe must approach Muslims as our friends, neighbours
and partners in fighting injustice, intolerance and violence’. He
added that Moving forward toward Turkish 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.
The remarks drew criticism for interference in EU affairs from French
leader Nicolas Sarkozy, who reiterated his long-standing opposition
to Turkish accession. ‘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. I have always been opposed to this
entry and I still am. I think I can say the immense majority of member
states shares the position of France’, the French president said.
Turkey began EU accession talks in 2004. But the process is being
held up by historic enmity between Turkey and EU member Cyprus and
broader EU worries over Turkish respect for Western values such as
freedom of the press.