"Turkey's EU Aspirations Can Inspire Muslims, U.S. Diplomat Says
State's Bryza also discusses cartoon controversy, Cyprus proposal
By Vince Crawley
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- Turkey’s ambition to join the European Union (EU) can show the Muslim world that it is possible to accomplish democratic reforms while respecting cultural differences, a U.S. diplomat said February 7 at a press roundtable in Brussels, Belgium, that also touched on the Cyprus peace process and the recent publication of inflammatory cartoons parodying Islam.
Turkey’s eligibility for the European Union will be determined by EU members and by Turkey’s ability to meet political and economic benchmarks, said Matthew Bryza, the deputy assistant secretary of state for southeastern Europe and Central Asia. “Of course, we want to do everything we can to keep Turkey’s accession process on track,” he added.
Byrza said, “Turkey has a proud history of advancing secular democracy -- secular democracy in a predominantly Muslim society. In that sense Turkey is a unique country. Unique as a European country and as a partially Middle Eastern country, all at the same time.”
From the U.S. vantage point, he said, Turkey has strategic value in showing Muslim-majority countries that democratic reforms are possible and in inspiring Muslim populations in European countries that a Muslim country can engage with Europe in economics, politics and culture “while maintaining a respect for cultural differences.”"
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