"Turkey may set good example for Muslim countries"

ATHENS (AA) – Former Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said today that his country was favor of Turkey’s full accession to the European Union (EU).

Papandreou pointed out that the Ankara administration made important progress about its EU reform attempts and Turkey could set a good example for other Muslim countries.

Governing PASOK leader in Greece and former foreign minister said that following Turkey’s membership to the Union, Greece’s defence spending also would reduce.

He went on to say, "The desire of engaging with Europe caused Turkey’s taking important steps over its reforms. Before it entired the EU, the Ankara government should respect human rights and it should be totally a democratic country. Turkey can set a good example for other Muslim countries. Not having a potential enemy at our doors means we can reduce our military spending."

About the Cyprus issue, he stressed that a solution only based on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s Cyprus plan and there was not any other alternative.

MORE BROADER EUROPE

He said that with broadening of the Union a new markets would be opened to it and they would wait for support of Italy on this suject.

He added, "Especially, we should help Romania and Bulgaria through their membership process. After it we have to think of other southern European countries. I hope Italy’s backing on the issue. Because a wider Europe means a new market which extends to Central Asia.