"Lagendijk: Turkey's EU Membership Would be a Blow to Bin Laden and Huntington
The European Union (EU)-Turkey Mixed Parliamentary Committee's Co-Chair, Joost Lagendijk, has said that Turkey's membership in the Union will be a blow to terrorist Osama Bin Laden and to historian Samuel Huntington's clash of civilizations theory.
A panel titled 'Turkey in the EU: Results for Europe' was organized by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington and the German Heinrich B�ll Association.
Lagendijk said at the panel, 'When Turkey becomes a member of the EU, those who say a bridge cannot be established between Islam and the West will be mistaken. Turkey's EU membership will be a blow to Osama Bin Laden and to Samuel Huntington.'
'I believe the AKP should be awarded for its work so far. EU member countries should say 'yes' in December and negotiations should start in the second half of next year.'
Lagendijk emphasized that when negotiations start with Turkey, the main focus should be 'full membership' and expressed his opposition to other approaches such as privileged partnership. "
ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2004111013737)
