Saturday
Nov212009
Turkey's Concern over the First European Union President
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 9:14
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As soon as he was appointed as the European Union's first President, Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy became the target of Turkish media and politicians, given his negative comments on Turkey's membership in the EU. For many, the Union's choice of Rompuy instead of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was due to one reason: "to block Turkey's way".
Suat Kiniklioglu, deputy chairman for external affairs of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said that France and Germany had championed Rompuy to harm Turkey's European aspirations:
In 2004, Rompuy stated in the Belgian Parliament, "Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe. An expansion of the EU to include Turkey cannot be considered as just another expansion as in the past. The universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are also fundamental values of Christianity, will lose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey."
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
As soon as he was appointed as the European Union's first President, Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy became the target of Turkish media and politicians, given his negative comments on Turkey's membership in the EU. For many, the Union's choice of Rompuy instead of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was due to one reason: "to block Turkey's way".Suat Kiniklioglu, deputy chairman for external affairs of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said that France and Germany had championed Rompuy to harm Turkey's European aspirations:
We are concerned. This man has made it very clear that he doesn't want to see Turkey in the European Union. What is even sadder is that he is making that argument on the basis of the supposed Christian values of the union. That's not the type of union we envisage. The values we envisage are of democracy, transparency, human rights and the rule of law.
His appointment is really evidence that the Franco-German axis in the union is gaining increased strength. I would not be surprised that his views on Turkey have played a role in that choice.
In 2004, Rompuy stated in the Belgian Parliament, "Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe. An expansion of the EU to include Turkey cannot be considered as just another expansion as in the past. The universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are also fundamental values of Christianity, will lose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey."