Let’s give them a chance, honestly

06/12/2006

Belgian Foreign Minister Carel de Gucht has said that Turkey must have an “honest chance” to continue negotiations with the European Union.

“It would be an historical error not to give Turkey an honest chance,” he said.

However, he also criticized Turkey.

“Intellectuals are tried in court for offending Turkish identity, debates on the Armenian Genocide issue, and debates on Turkey-Cyprus relations-the old symbols are coming into the light.”

On December 14-15, the EU leaders will decide whether to accept or not to accept the proposal of the European commission to partially freeze the negotiations with Turkey.