Jigs
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Emphasizing his strong support for Turkeys accession to the European Union, Britains prime minister has underlined the strong ties between his country and Turkey during his first visit to Ankara since assuming office.
Relations between the two countries are enjoying a golden age, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at a joint news conference Tuesday, comments that were later echoed by British Prime Minister David Cameron.
On his first official visit to Turkey, Cameron signed an updated version of the strategic-partnership document with Erdoğan, which was first implemented during the Turkish leaders visit to Britain in 2007.
Concerns that Turkeys EU accession would unleash a wave of immigration to Europe are unfounded, said the British leader, who also criticized what he called the EUs failure to fully embrace Turkey as a possible member.
As economies grow and become more equal, the pressure of [immigration] flows is not so great, he said. The Turkish economy is likely to outstrip Canada, Spain and Italy by 2025.
Turkey would bring greater prosperity and political stability to the EU with its economic potential and growing influence in the Middle East, Cameron added, saying that his country would be Turkeys strongest possible advocate for EU membership, while at the same time urging Ankara to push forward aggressively with reforms.
Countering concerns that Turkey has been redirecting its foreign policy toward the East, Cameron said Turkey has been on the right path by keeping both tracks open instead of making a choice between East and West.
Noting the contrast between Turkeys and Britains views over the latest United Nations sanctions against Tehran, Cameron said the two countries still share the goal of dissuading Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and have a strong enough bilateral relationship to deal with such differences of opinion.
Moreover, Cameron said Turkey has a crucial diplomatic role to play on the issue, saying that the world needs Turkeys help in pressing Iran to address concerns about its nuclear program.
Fast-rising Turkey also represents an ideal opportunity for British businesses, Cameron added, saying his country aims to double mutual trade within the next five years.
Ankara should also work to repair ties with Israel, said the British leader, who backs Turkeys demand for an international inquiry into the May 31 Gaza flotilla raid, in which Israeli commandos killed eight Turks and one American of Turkish descent.
The Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla was completely unacceptable. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp, he said.
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
Emphasizing his strong support for Turkeys accession to the European Union, Britains prime minister has underlined the strong ties between his country and Turkey during his first visit to Ankara since assuming office.
Relations between the two countries are enjoying a golden age, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at a joint news conference Tuesday, comments that were later echoed by British Prime Minister David Cameron.
On his first official visit to Turkey, Cameron signed an updated version of the strategic-partnership document with Erdoğan, which was first implemented during the Turkish leaders visit to Britain in 2007.
Concerns that Turkeys EU accession would unleash a wave of immigration to Europe are unfounded, said the British leader, who also criticized what he called the EUs failure to fully embrace Turkey as a possible member.
As economies grow and become more equal, the pressure of [immigration] flows is not so great, he said. The Turkish economy is likely to outstrip Canada, Spain and Italy by 2025.
Turkey would bring greater prosperity and political stability to the EU with its economic potential and growing influence in the Middle East, Cameron added, saying that his country would be Turkeys strongest possible advocate for EU membership, while at the same time urging Ankara to push forward aggressively with reforms.
Countering concerns that Turkey has been redirecting its foreign policy toward the East, Cameron said Turkey has been on the right path by keeping both tracks open instead of making a choice between East and West.
Noting the contrast between Turkeys and Britains views over the latest United Nations sanctions against Tehran, Cameron said the two countries still share the goal of dissuading Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and have a strong enough bilateral relationship to deal with such differences of opinion.
Moreover, Cameron said Turkey has a crucial diplomatic role to play on the issue, saying that the world needs Turkeys help in pressing Iran to address concerns about its nuclear program.
Fast-rising Turkey also represents an ideal opportunity for British businesses, Cameron added, saying his country aims to double mutual trade within the next five years.
Ankara should also work to repair ties with Israel, said the British leader, who backs Turkeys demand for an international inquiry into the May 31 Gaza flotilla raid, in which Israeli commandos killed eight Turks and one American of Turkish descent.
The Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla was completely unacceptable. Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp, he said.
