"TURKEY: A WARM WELCOME TO A UNIFIED EUROPE - an historic moment for Europe as EU and Turkey agree to launch entry talks - by Rick Morren
Monday night Turkey and the European Union European Union reached an historic deal to launch membership talks. Portuguese Foreign Minister Diogo Freitas do Amaral told reporters: 'This historic European Union decision will have repercussions throughout the Islamic world. It probably will displease Mr. (Osama) Bin Laden, who has done everything to avoid this moment arriving,' he said, referring to a struggle between pro-Western Turkish Muslims and Islamist militants, who have declared war on the West.' Indeed, this EU act of good faith in Turkey's capability to meet the stringent demands for EU membership will have far more effect on the Middle East Peace Process than any foreign occupation army trying to force democracy down the throat of Middle Eastern citizens through the barrel of a gun. Turkey's quest to join the EU has taken some 43 years. Actually Turkey's desire to be part of the European Community dates back to the great Turkish leader Ataturk's reforms and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923"
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