"EU-member Turkey would be 'bridge' to Islam - Rehn
05 Aug 2006 11:05:03 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Terhi Kinnunen
HELSINKI, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The war in the Middle East boosts the significance of Turkey's bid to join the European Union where it could serve as the bloc's 'bridge' with Islam, top EU enlargement official Olli Rehn said.
Rehn told Finnish newspapers in comments published on Saturday that a moderate and democratic Turkey was of strategic importance to Europe and that if the country fulfilled entry criteria it must be allowed to join the 25-member bloc."
More:Reuters AlertNet - EU-member Turkey would be "bridge" to Islam - Rehn
