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May 28, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 

Italian lawmaker Tempestini says EU needs Turkey

6 September 2010 / TODAY’S ZAMAN WITH WIRES, İSTANBUL
An Italian lawmaker with Italy’s main opposition Democratic Party (PD) has bolstered Turkey’s EU membership bid, claiming that the EU needs Turkey.

“As the EU, we need Turkey. Turkey is a key country as it stands at the crossroads of energy routes,” Francesco Tempestini said at a panel discussion in Rome on Saturday.

Criticizing skepticism expressed by certain countries regarding Turkey’s full EU membership, Tempestini said it was true that Turkey had some problems in terms of the Copenhagen criteria. “But these problems may well be overcome after Turkey becomes an EU member,” he added.

Pointing to the fact that Turkey’s relations with the Middle East have improved during the current government’s tenure, Tempestini said there could be serious problems if Turkey shuts itself off from the EU and the US. “Another problem is that the EU cannot form a joint foreign policy regarding the Middle East,” he said.

 
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