ANKARA - Members of German-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Group, chaired by Thomas Kossendey, had a meeting with Mehmet Elkatmis, the head of the Turkish Parliament`s Human Rights Commission, on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Elkatmis said, "Turkey`s integration to the EU is in the best interests of Turkey and the EU. We consider EU as a cultural project, and want to join the union. However, we are sorry to hear remarks affirming that the EU is a Christian club."
On the other hand, Kossendey said that the program of the German coalition government suggests that Turkey should be supported on its road to the EU.
Kossendey noted that negotiations on two more chapters can be opened during Germany`s EU presidency.
"Europe has some reservations about Turkey`s EU membership. However the comments that EU is a Christian club are confusing and dangerous. There are 3.5 million Muslims in Germany, and this number is 20 million throughout Europe. If we tell the Muslims within ourselves that `you do not belong to us`, this will be dangerous," he added.