German FM: Turkey's EU approach is in our interest

In his comments published in German Berliner Morgenpost newspaper, Steinmeier, who is a Social Democrat member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling grand coalition and supporter of Turkey's EU bid, urged the EU to press on with membership talks with Turkey.

Underlining the importance to speed up Turkey's negotiations process, Steinmeier said, "I am still convinced further approaches to Turkey aimed at joining the EU are in our interest. These approaches are the most powerful engine on reforms in Turkey. This was because as a modern, open and Muslim country, Turkey could act as an important bridge between cultures."

Steinmeier has also called for the creation of a common EU foreign minister post, saying it would help with world peace. An EU foreign minister "could speak with one voice for all 27 member states, and that would have weight," Steinmeier added. The New Anatolian

/Journal of Turkish Weekly/