French Deputy Defends Turkey with Poem by Nazim Hikmet

While the conservative deputies at the French Parliament took the floor to voice opposition to Turkey’s membership, Bocquet said that "The Europe which you are talking about now, is not the one of the Renaissance. This is a place where 20 million jobless people are living and which is under the grip of a global and militarized capitalism."

Similarly, Green Party’s Noel Mamere said that "Turkey is an opportunity to prevent the clash of civilizations and to show that EU is not a Christian Club. We are supporting launching talks with Turkey for membership."