EU’s Delay of Talks Might Destabilize Turkey

He said that Turkey’s EU membership was appropriate according to basic principles, and said that there was an inseparable connection between the improvement of democracy in Turkey and its membership in the EU. The Commissioner said:

"You cannot separate these from one other. Separating these two processes makes Turkey’s democratization process instable. Then you would be responsible for the instability in this strategically important country."

At a panel discussion organized by a think tank, the Friends of Europe, in Brussels on Thursday, Verheugen stressed that Turkey’s E.U. membership would not be easy. However, he added, they could not tell Ankara, ‘sorry, but we never thought you would fulfill the conditions. You cannot be a full member of the E.U.’ Verheugen said that he did not agree with those who say that Turkey’s EU membership talks should be postponed.

Verheugen said a decision about starting talks with Turkey for membership would be made by the end of this year and stressed that as the time to decide about starting the talks with Turkey nears, the issue will be discussed more.