Non-Christians in EU

The question:

“Is Europe ready to integrate a non-Christian country like Turkey into the EU?”

The response, from Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists:

“I think so, but we have to understand that it is depending upon Turkey and it is depending upon us. Both parts have to make claims to each other And we say with our values to Turkey: ‘Please continue to modernise yourself, insure that the fundamental democratic values are respected whether you’re in jail, or whether you’re in the courts, or whether you’re a woman or a man.’ All must have the same rights and equal rights all over Turkey.

“They are also fundamental problems in your freedom, in your fundamental rights to freedom. All this needs to be done in Turkey before we can begin to discuss when and how.

“So my point to Turkey is: ‘We respect you; you are a great nation; you have a fantastic culture and a great history. We want to cooperate still closer with you, so promise us to make these reforms in the future, then we, on our side, will do all we can to convince our European citizens that we have a common future together.’”

“This is not about closing doors. It’s about opening doors, and it’s about making claims in the sense of democracy and humanity to each other. Then we will make progress.”

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: European elections, Religion, Turkey