Brussels, 22/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - Sweden, which is to hold EU presidency during the second half of this year, firmly supports Turkey's membership and hopes to take accession talks forward. “Turkey belongs in Europe. Turkey is a crucial country for Europe. With its regional role and young population, Turkey carries strategic importance for the EU”, said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, speaking on 21 April in Ankara, where he had just met his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The latter welcomed the role of Sweden which, he said, “leads the Turkey's Friends group in the EU”. The Turkish prime minister also trusts that the future Swedish EU Presidency will be able to open “many” of the negotiation chapters.
After the meeting of the EU troika with Ali Babacan in Prague on 21 April (EUROPE 9886), Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also defended the prospect of Turkey's accession. “It is supported by a large majority of countries and a vast majority at the current European Parliament (…). An EU with Turkey will be stronger and have more vitality”, he said. On the subject of France's opposition to Turkey's membership and reticence shown by other countries, Mr Bildt said “all enlargement processes have given rise to opposition, but all have been a success”. Turkey remains determined to pursue the process of accession and to move forward in its reform programme, Mr Babacan stressed. (H.B./transl.jl)