Jose Manuel Barroso: EU is not ready to accept Turkey either tomorrow or the day after tomorrowJuly 24, 2007 - 15:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In an interview to Kathimerini Greek newspaper European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso stated that Turkey is not ready to join the European Union, but the membership negotiations should continue. "Let's be honest. Turkey is not ready to become an EU member and the European Union is not ready to accept Turkey as a member. Neither tomorrow nor the day after tomorrow", Barroso told. But at the same time he urged EU member states not to shut the door on Turkey altogether. "Personally, I believe it is a matter of the EU's credibility. I would like to ask France and all member states not to change the decision we took jointly and continue negotiations," he underlined. Membership talks with Turkey begun in 2005 and include 35 policy areas. Ankara also must open his ports and airports for Cyprus, an EU member-state. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, who took office earlier this year, has said he opposes Turkish EU membership. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children |