BURSA - Vice President of the European Commission Guenter Verheugen said Saturday that they know the difficulties regarding Turkey`s accession to the European Union and noted that these difficulties will be tackled.
Verheugen said EU needs Turkey`s unity in terms of security, development and especially living in peace.
Guenter Verheugen inaugurated an EU Coordination Center, established by the municipality in northwestern city of Bursa, where he came to visit a shelter that was built for stray animals.
After his tour of the shelter, Verheugen said he was extremely impressed by what he saw today. Verheugen said he had always expressed that Turkey should harmonize with EU standards but this time he changed his mind after what he saw today. Ha said EU countries should follow Turkey this time as the shelter was such a modern facility.
Commenting on Turkey`s membership to EU, Verheugen said he believes difficulties will be tackled.
Stating that there are misunderstandings and mistakes about the issue, Verheugen said the only way to overcome those is to tell the truth all the time.
He said the fact is Turkey normally has a European location, culture and lifestyle.
Underscoring that Turkey showed improvement on its path to EU membership, Verheugen stressed that Turkish people should be proud of it. He said Europe has to admit it as well.
Responding to a question on the murder of journalist Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, Verheugen noted that Turkey is presented very differently to the world.
He said some people want to show Turkey as a country of violence and hatred. Verheugen said it should not be allowed.
On the other hand, executives of the shelter gave a dog to Verheugen and his wife as a gift.
The shelter for stray animals cost 3 million YTL and is said to be the most modern and biggest facility in Europe.