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British PM says he will "passionately fight" for Turkey's EU bid

27 July 2010 [10:15] - TODAY.AZ
During a landmark trip to Turkey, British PM David Cameron delivers strong messages of support for Ankara's membership in the EU and makes clear he will fight for it. 'This is something I feel very passionately about… Together, I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels,' he says.

British Prime Minister David Cameron voiced strong support Monday for Turkey’s membership in the European Union and vowed he would passionately fight to make the country’s case.

“I’m here to make the case for Turkey’s membership in the EU. And to fight for it,” Cameron told a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to a script of his keynote speech provided by the British Embassy in Ankara.

The British leader’s landmark visit comes just three months after he took power. Cameron and Erdoğan signed an updated version of the strategic partnership document, which was first concluded during the Turkish leader’s visit to Britain in 2007.

In his speech, Cameron drew a parallel in terms of the EU’s treatment of his country in the past and to Turkey now.

“Do you know who said: ‘Here is a country that is not European... its history, its geography, its economy, its agriculture and the character of its people – admirable people though they are – all point in a different direction… This is a country which… cannot, despite what it claims and perhaps even believes, be a full member,’” the British leader asked.

“It might sound like some Europeans describing Turkey. But it was actually Gen. [Charles] de Gaulle describing the U.K. before vetoing our EU accession,” Cameron said.

“We know what it’s like to be shut out of the club,” he said. “But we also know that these things can change.”

The visiting prime minister said he would remain Turkey’s strongest possible advocate for EU membership and for greater influence at the top table of European diplomacy.

“This is something I feel very passionately about… Together, I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels,” he said.

Cameron made it clear that Turkey cannot be allowed to remain outside the EU.

“When I think about what Turkey has done to defend Europe as a NATO ally, and what Turkey is doing today in Afghanistan alongside our European allies, it makes me angry that your progress toward EU membership can be frustrated in the way it has been,” he said. “My view is clear. I believe it’s just wrong to say Turkey can guard the camp but not be allowed to sit inside the tent.”


/Hurriyet Daily News/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/regions/71439.html

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