EC President Stirs Turkey EU Controversy with 1st Official Speech

World | January 8, 2010, Friday // 13:29|  views

Herman Van Rompuy, EC President, finds himself embroiled in controversy after speaking to a bavarian conservative party opposed to Turkey's EU accession. Photo by BGNES

Herman Van Rompuy, the newly elected EC President, has found himself the center of controversy after addressing his first official speech to a party gathering of Bavarian conservatives.

The Christian-Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, had caused a stir in Turkey by issuing a paper underlining its opposition to the country's membership of the EU.

The paper, published in the German press on Tuesday, had called for "an end to the painful EU accession negotiations" and for replacing "Turkey's membership perspective with a privileged partnership."

The CSU position paper had caused problems for German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle, who is currently on a tour of Muslim countries. The Liberal politician had to reassure his Turkish hosts of Germany's commitment to Turkey's EU bid.

The EC president's speech on Thursday had mentioned EU enlargement, but only with reference to Croatia and other Western Balkan countries. He had made no reference to the issue of Turkey.

Van Rompuy has sought to play down the controversy. "Delivering a speech at a party gathering doesn't make you a party man," the centre-right Belgian politician argued, adding that the EU "needs thriving national democracies."

Mr Van Rompuy had himself stated in 2004 that Turkey was not part of Europe. Since being appointed EC president he has stressed that his personal opinions are irrelevant, as his job is to seek consensus among member states.

The Turkish accession issue has also been aired in Bulgaria during the week, with the Bulgarian Minister without Portfolio, Bozhidar Dimitrov, being forced to apologize for remarks he had made, stating that Turkey should be forced to pay reparations to Bulgaria as a condition of EU accession. PM Borisov had reacted angrily, issuing a formal warning to the minister over his statements.

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Tags: Herman van Rompuy, Germany, Bavaria, Angela Merkel, Guido Westerwelle, Boyko Borisov, Bozhidar Dimitrov, Turkey in EU

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