LONDON (AA) - A panel entitled, ``Turkey`s entry to the European Union (EU) is a risk worth taking`` was held in London on May 19th.
The event was organized jointly by Stockholm Network and the Economist.
Kemal Koprulu from ARI Movement; Norman Stone, lecturer of Bilkent University in Ankara; John Casey, fellow of Gonville & Caius college; Cambridge and Rebecca Tinsley from Waging Peace, participated in the panel.
Stone said that Turkey should become a member of the EU, stressing that it would contribute much to Europe and vice versa.
Casey indicated that he believed that Islam and democracy lived together successfully in Turkey, adding that however he is in the opinion that EU should not enlarge further.
Kemal Koprulu, who took the floor in the panel, stressed that fight against terrorism and prevention of international organized crimes were important topics, adding that fight against drug smuggling is waiting for solution. ``Turkey will help EU to solve these issues,`` he told.
Mentioning reforms enacted in Turkey, Koprulu said that Turkish people had expectations on the way of democracy, ethical values and transparency. He said that EU should not only consider risks but also young, dynamic and well-educated population of Turkey, underlining that Turkey must show a great performance in the coming years.
Stone stated that there were clashes between soldiers and terrorist organization PKK in Southeast Anatolia Region of Turkey, stressing that not the state but terrorist organization PKK killed 30,000 Turkish people in Southeast Anatolia Region.
(E֭ULG)
2005-05-20