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Declaration of the President of
the European Commission José Manuel Barroso on the
opening of accession negotiations with Turkey
“Today is a milestone in the relationship between the
European Union and Turkey.
A stable, modern and democratic Turkey is an objective
we should support actively in the European Union and in
Turkey. This is why we are starting negotiations.
Of course the road towards Turkey’s accession will be
long and difficult. Accession, as for every country, is
neither guaranteed nor automatic.
The negotiations must be fair and rigorous. On behalf of
the European Union I can guarantee this will be the
case. Turkey must be treated in the same way as all
other candidates. And it must strictly respect the
requirements for democracy, human rights and rule of law
if it is to join the club.
Europe must learn more about Turkey. And Turkey must win
the hearts and minds of European citizens. They are the
ones who at the end of the day will decide about
Turkey’s membership.
Turkey must be given a fair chance to demonstrate that
it is capable of meeting all conditions for accession.
I hope it will; an open dynamic Turkey is in the
interest of a European Union capable of assuming fully
its responsibilities in the world.” |
