Brussels, 04/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner Stefan Füle (Enlargement) has asked for - and received - explanations from Turkish Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis about controversial statements over a resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe made by the latter at a ceremony to commemorate the Holocaust on 1st February at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Bagis, who is also his country's negotiator-in-chief for accession negotiations to the EU, said at the former concentration camp that the EU, which is “incapable of internalising its own values”, was today running the risk of being overtaken by a “racist mentality” inspired by the fascist methodology of the 1930s. “Today, unfortunately, Turkey and the Turkish people are suffering the consequences of being different… Implicitly or openly, the Turkish people are hearing the following message: 'You are different, you have no place amongst us'. The best response to these people would be to support and adopt the values of the EU… The only remedy to this distorted mentality is Turkey's accession to the EU”, said Bagis.
Füle called on Bagis on Wednesday 2 February to ask him for “clarifications” regarding his words. Bagis explained to him that he wished to express his concern at the “growing role of certain extremist groups” in the EU and the fact that this phenomenon could reduce tolerance towards minorities, Füle's spokesperson announced on Thursday 3 February. The commissioner was satisfied with this explanation, but is still of the opinion that the Turkish European affairs minister could have “chosen his words better” in voicing his concerns, according to the spokesperson. (H.B./transl.fl)