Verheugen: I support Schroeder’s Turkey policy

BERLIN (AA) – European Union commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen said on Tuesday that he supports German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s approach over Turkey’s EU membership.

“Possessing a strong and stable partner like Turkey for Europe’s political and economical security would play an important role,” Verheugen said speaking to Deutschlandfunk radio.

Stating that he believes that Turkey would fulfill the necessary criteria as of end-2004, Verheugen said, “however, no one can guarantee that full membership would be given to Turkey at the end of this process.”