Negotiations Should Start For Full Membership

Minister Gucht emphasized that Turkey has fulfilled Copenhagen Criteria but that some new EU members had become members without fulfilling the criteria. He explained his support of Turkey’s membership with these words: "It is very important politically that we have the membership of a tolerant, democratic, stable, rich country in this problematic, unstable and problematic part of the world. From the geo-strategic perspective it is not physical security but the influence of such a big country which will promote stability in the Middle East. Turkey has an Islamic culture which is open to European values."