Barroso says Turkey not ready to join EU
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was quoted as saying that Turkey was not ready to join the European Union.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was quoted on Sunday as saying in a Greek newspaper that Turkey was not ready to join the European Union, but that its membership negotiations should continue. Millions of Turks flocked to vote on Sunday in a parliamentary elections seen as crucial to the future of the large Muslim state. “Let's be honest. Turkey is not ready to become an EU member and the EU is not ready to accept Turkey as a member. Neither tomorrow nor the day after tomorrow,” Barroso told the Kathimerini newspaper.
But Barroso urged EU member states not to shut the door on Turkey altogether. “Personally, I believe it is a matter of the EU's credibility. Anything we have unanimously adopted is a pledge we have made to the others”, Barroso was quoted as saying. “I would like to ask France and all member states not to change the decision we took jointly and continue negotiations”. Greece and Turkey have been locked in various territorial and boundary disputes for a number of years.
Turkey's entry talks, begun in 2005, have been dogged by disputes and the EU has suspended talks on eight of 35 policy areas, or “chapters”, due to Ankara's refusal to open its ports to EU member Cyprus. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, who took office earlier this year, has said he opposes Turkish EU membership. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan fears Sarkozy may try to block the continuation of Ankara's accession negotiations. (javno.com)
ADVERTISEMENT
Financial Transformation: Now or NeverÂ
Gov't Extends Deposit Rate Cap Till Year-end
Media Markt Sanctioned for False Advertising
Budapest Muni Council Clears Rác Baths Renovation
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
