Turkey's EU quest gains favour in Mideast
Often the odd man out in the Middle East, Turkey's drive to join the European Union might push it even further out of step with its Arab and Muslim neighbours. But if it succeeds, they may well applaud.
Many Muslims, like some Europeans, view the EU as a "Christian club". Admitting Turkey, a predominantly Muslim nation of 72 million, would erode if not shatter this image. "It would send a message to the Arab world that a Muslim country can also become a part of Europe," Abdel Raouf el-Reedy, chairman of the Egyptian Council on Foreign Relations, said. He offered broad reasons why the Middle East should pay close attention to the process.