Cheney supports Turkey’s EU bid

Addressing an audience of almost 500,000 people at the World Economic Forum, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney supported Turkey’s bid to enter European Union (EU) during his speech in Davos. "Turkey deserves all our support including its expectations about Europe," said Cheney.

Also in his speech Dick Cheney again called for ‘developing cooperation’ on the war against terror, saying, "The civilized nations of the world have to take it upon themselves to eradicate global terrorism and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction… if our diplomatic efforts fail we have to be ready to use force when it is required"

Cheney also stated the US and Europe have to be on the same page as they struggle against the ideology of violence that is impeding the development of democracy in the Middle East and elsewhere. He stressed that it is imperative that a government that "would respect the legal demands of the Iraqi people" be established in Iraq.

Turning his attention to the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Cheney expressed his desire that Europe strengthen its long-term military capacity and not hesitate in developing its own security policy.