Britain, Sweden support Turkey’s membership in EUFebruary 18, 2011 - 12:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - British and Swedish ministers have said Turkey’s membership in the European Union would strengthen the 27-nation bloc, raising voices for the Turkish accession at a time when the process appears to be approaching a breaking point. “Membership for Turkey would enhance Europe’s economy, strengthen Europe’s influence and offer Europe the opportunity to extend and entrench democracy, human rights and the rule of law through modernizing and reforming Turkey’s political and economic structures in harmony with European institutions and European values,” Britain’s Minister for Europe David Lidington said at a meeting in Austria, where there is strong public opposition to Turkish membership. Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also echoed Lidington during a speech in the Swedish parliament on foreign policy. “When it joins the EU upon fulfilling all the necessary criteria, Turkey will bring more power to the EU,” Bildt was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. Both Bildt and Lidington emphasized the importance of finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, with Bildt saying that a settlement will strengthen stability in the eastern Mediterranean and remove obstacles for more effective EU-NATO cooperation. “The status quo in Cyprus is a profoundly unattractive option - everyone loses. In contrast, the rewards of a settlement would be enormous - political, economic and security benefits not only to all Cypriots, of both communities, but to Turkey itself, to the rest of the Europe, and to the entire eastern Mediterranean region,” Today’s Zaman quoted Lidington as saying. 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 | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |