European Parliament elections: Did Turkey gain or lose?

PanARMENIAN.Net - Diplomatic sources said Turkey was still evaluating the results but made it clear that the outcome would not cause Ankara to lose its appetite for full membership in the EU. "We are resolutely proceeding on our road," said a Turkish diplomat who requested anonymity.



Conservatives won a decisive victory over socialists in the European Parliament elections, leading to questions about Europe's direction in the upcoming five-year period. "I am absolutely happy that we did win the elections," Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Turkey rapporteur of the European Parliament, told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review yesterday. Dutch Christian Democrat Oomen-Ruijten will continue drawing up reports on Turkey in the next term: her re-election after the vote will be officially announced Thursday.



She highlighted that the result should not be a source of concern for Turkey. "We are still the largest group in the European Parliament," she said.



"The fact that Social Democrats have lost seats in the European Parliament is not good news for Turkey," Jan Marinus Wiersma of the Socialist Group in parliament told the Daily News. "We have consistent support for Turkey's ambitions to become a member of the EU. We know it is a difficult track and long process, but we are always in contact with Turkey's government and the main opposition party."



The center-right European People's Party secured 267 seats, making it the biggest group in the 736-member parliament, ahead of the socialists on 159 seats, down from 215, according to estimates.