Vatican tells Turkey not to rush into EU

ANKARA (EU business) – A senior Vatican official praised Turkey’s efforts to integrate into the Europe Union, but warned that Europe was not yet ready to embrace the Muslim nation, in remarks published by a Turkish newspaper Sunday.

"Europeans should agree to Turkey’s entry into the European Union… There is an extraordinary sign in Turkey’s orientation towards Europe. It cannot be overlooked," Cardinal Ersilio Tonini told the mass-circulation Sabah in an interview.

He said, however, that if Turkey’s membership "is rushed up, Europe will feel itself in the face of a fait accompli and there will be opposition."

"Europe is overwhelmed with its own problems. When those problems are resolved and when a more prudent atmosphere is established with regards to immigration, it will become easier for Turkey to take this step," he said.

The cardinal also defended the Vatican’s position that a reference to Europe’s Christian roots should be included in the EU constitution, which is currently under discussion, saying that it would not amount to an anti-Islam statement.

Most EU nations are opposed to the proposal. Turkey has also raised its voice against it.

The Vatican, the world’s smallest state and center of Roman Catholicism, is not a member of the European Union.

EU leaders will decide in December next year whether to start accession talks with Turkey, the only predominantly Muslim candidate for membership.