Merkel says still against Turkey’s EU membershipOctober 8, 2015 - 11:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday, Otober 7, that Turkey's help was needed to stem the flow of refugees to Europe but that this hadn't changed her view that Ankara should not become a member of the European Union, Reuters reports. "I have always been against EU membership, President (Tayyip) Erdogan knows this, and I still am," Merkel told a talk show on German public broadcaster ARD. Merkel was an outspoken opponent of Turkey joining the EU before she took power in 2005, advocating instead a "privileged partnership" that stopped short of full membership. But she has avoided using that term or stating her opposition too loudly in recent years, maintaining instead that membership talks between Ankara and the EU, which were launched shortly before she took office, should proceed but have no pre-determined outcome. Turkey's bid has stalled in recent years, as interest from the Turkish side has waned and European officials have grown critical of what they see as increasingly authoritarian policies from Erdogan. Now Europe is reaching out to Turkey again, hoping that it can help with the record flows of refugees from its neighbor Syria and other war-torn countries in the Middle East. Erdogan visited Brussels on Monday and was presented with a draft action plan under which Europe would offer more funding for Syrian and Iraqi refugees living in Turkey. "We need to talk to Turkey about sharing the burden better," Merkel said. "That will mean that we give Turkey money ... and that we fulfill certain demands that Turkey has, such as easing visa restrictions." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |