"Turkish AKP gets observer status in EU's largest political family
31.01.2005 - 09:57 CET | By Lucia Kubosova
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The political parties of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan and of Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko have received observer status within the centre-right European People's Party.
The political bureau of the EPP, the largest political group in the European parliament, hammered out the decision concerning the AK Party and 'Our Ukraine' on Friday (28 January).
The group's party leaders gave a green light to the AK Party last November - long after the Turkish party informally expressed its desire to participate.
Mr Erdogan's request for his Justice and Development party to join the centre-right's ranks had caused difficulties within the EPP - which has several members opposed to Turkey's full membership of the EU.
Mr Yushchenko's political platform was accepted in view of his commitment to promote Ukraine's future in the EU.
'I am particularly pleased with this development, because it, once again, proves that the EPP attracts strong and reliable leaders from all over Europe,' EPP President Martens said in a statement. "
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