EU rejects open door policy and becomes Christian club, says Ali BabacanJanuary 30, 2011 - 17:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan complained on January 29 that the European Union was becoming an inward-looking "Christian club", slamming a lack of progress in his country's bid to join. Speaking on a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos that included EU President Herman Van Rompuy, Ali Babacan said: "We always thought the EU is a big peace project... but then the enlargement process literally stalled. "Open door policy is no longer there," he added. "And one of the big themes about why Turkey cannot become a member of the European Union is because it is a Christian club. This is in our view very, very dangerous," he said. Ankara began accession negotiations with the EU in 2005, but the process has stalled amid opposition from some member states, lack of reform in Turkey and a trade row over the divided island of Cyprus. Several chapters remain frozen due to Turkey's refusal to open its ports to Cyprus, an EU member which Ankara does not recognize owing to the island's division between its Greek and Turkish communities. Beyond this, France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel have expressed opposition to Turkey's bid, AFP reported. Earlier this week Turkish President Abdullah Gul told Le Monde paper that Turkey's accession to the EU is no longer of great importance for Ankara. "It's clear that obstacles have been placed in front of us, but the world does not stop at the European Union," Reuters quoted Gul as saying. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |