Turkey's EU Membership To Fill Gap Between Western Countries And Islamic World, Italian Minister

ISTANBUL - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Wednesday Turkey`s EU membership would fill the gap between Western countries and the Islamic world.
Speaking at the Sixth Turkish-Italian Forum in Conrad Hotel, Frattini said that Turkey made reforms not because the EU wanted them but because the Turkish people demanded them.

Turkey`s membership in the EU would demonstrate that the EU can accept different cultures without betraying its own identity and culture, Frattini stressed.

It would be out of question to reverse Turkey`s EU process after recognizing its candidate status years ago. The EU has to fulfill its promise in this regard, Frattini said.

Italy believes that Turkey`s negotiation process should not slow down. Europe can not afford to be without Turkey for its security, Frattini also said.