"Turkey's EU membership bid a model for Islamic world - EU commissioner
AFP: 1/24/2005
ROME, Jan 24 (AFP) - Turkey's bid to join the European Union is an example for the Islamic world, EU justice commissioner Franco Frattini said here Monday, underscoring the need for the 25-member European bloc to support Muslim forces that want to modernize their institutions.
'Turkey, a secular state home to Muslims who want to join the European Union, will be an example for the Islamic world,' he told a press conference.
'We have the duty to stimulate forces in the Islamic world that want to modernize their institutions, but do not accept a model imposed in a paternalistic way.' "
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