Joschka Fischer and Turkey's bid to join the EU

Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer puts his name to a plea for Turkey's membership of the EU. He believes Turkey is the cornerstone of regional security. "Successful modernisation and democratization in Turkey - thanks to an influential civil society, the rule of law and a modern economy - will not only benefit the country but will help export stability and act as a model for the transformation of the Islamic world. ... Turkey indeed has a long way to go, but constantly hampering the EU integration process while being fully aware of the possible repercussions is mindless behaviour from the Europeans which could have serious consequences. What is worse in politics than acting mindlessly? Relations between Europe and Turkey look set to crash. Yet neither can afford a collision that appears all too predictable."

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