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Ankara Calls on EU not to Fear Turkey: Assistant to Premier

Politics Materials 1 February 2008 09:42 (UTC +04:00)
Ankara Calls on EU not to Fear Turkey: Assistant to Premier

Azerbaijan, Baku 31 January / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / Ankara states that the European Union (EU) should not fear Turkey's power.

" Turkey's entry to the EU will greatly contribute to the organization," Ali Sarikaya, assistant to the Turkish Premier said in a telephone talk from Ankara on 31 January. He was commenting on statements the heads of France and Germany made on 30 January.

Addressing the conference on the future of Europe titled 'To Build Together Our Future' French President Nicola Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel made statements against Turkey and the EU.

There is no room for Turkey at the EU because it is placed in Small Asia... If we continue expanding the EU too much, we will terminate the political Europe, the French President stated.

Since the 2004 talks on Turkey's entry to EU have been launched. The major cause for delaying Turkey's membership at the EU are the Kurdish problem, Turkey's non-fulfillment of demands for opening the border with Armenia and recognition of 'Armenian genocide' by Ottoman Empire in 1915.

Experts said that one of the major reasons for such positions by France and Germany is the understanding that Turkey's membership at the EU will make the unofficial top three of the EU - France, Germany and UK, in a tight squeeze. Turkey with its vast territory, large population, tremendous economic and geopolitical significance, will comprise the leading 'four' of Europe.

"The EU should think about its future and Turkey can contribute greatly to the development of the organization as compared to other EU member-countries,' Sarikaya said.

In accordance with the statistics for 2005, Turkey has the population of 73 million people. Over 25 national minorities live in the country. Turks comprise the major part of the country's population. There are approximately 80,000 mosques in the territory of the country. Turkey possesses army which is the second for the number and mint following NATO. The annual sale of armaments at the Turkish market amounts from $3mln to $5mln.

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