"Blair briefs MPs on Turkey's EU ambitions
Agreeing the start date for talks discussing Turkey's accession to the EU 'is a hugely important and welcome moment', the prime minister has said.
Last week, Tony Blair was pivotal in securing a timetable for the Muslim country to join the European club.
On Monday, he made a statement to the Commons outlining the position and what it meant for Britain and Europe.
Telling MPs that the country lay in a vital strategic area encompassing the Middle East, the Balkans and Central Asia, he said it was 'in all our interests' to have a 'stable and democratic Turkey' and that it was vital to 'strengthen our influence and role' in those areas.
Blair also pointed out that Turkey was an important NATO ally and already a strong trading partner."
More:ePolitix.com - Blair briefs MPs on Turkey's EU ambitions