"Turkey's EU quest gains favour in Mideast
Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:07 AM BST
By Alistair Lyon
LONDON (Reuters) - 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 heed to Turkey's EU accession talks, due to start on October 3."
More:World News Article | Reuters.co.uk
