ISTANBUL - Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos said on Saturday that Turkey started its journey to Europe with resolved steps and belief, adding that ''I believe that Europe without Turkey will not be an integrated Europe.''
Addressing the Turkish-German symposium, Bartholomeos said that ''even if Turkey's journey to Europe seems difficult, this nation has started this journey with vigour and belief. Turkey will reach its goal particularly with the support of the laws adopted by the parliament in the beginning of August.''
''EU is the union of various nations who know to live together by respecting common values. EU can cast anchor in the world with Turkey which casts anchor in Europe. We can broaden peace, love and justice to the east and south,'' Bartholomeos said.
Turkish Armenians Patriarch Mesrob II said in his part that there are certain problems of minorities living in Turkey, adding that these problems don't stem from laws, but non-implementation of these laws in practice.
Mesrob II said that the members of the Armenian community were pleased with the adoption of the adjustment laws, adding that it is the right of the Turkish people to join the EU. The Armenian community in Turkey wants EU to give negotiation date to Turkey on December 12 at the Copenhagen summit, he said.
Religious Affairs official Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bayraktar said that Turkey's being a Muslim society is not an obstacle for it to join the EU, adding ''I hope our western friends, particularly German friends don't find Turkey's joining the EU problematic in respect of religion.''