Kind Lampshade Maker
December 16th, 2004, 08:33 AM
European Jews: Add Turkey to E.U.
A European Jewish organization wants Turkey brought into the European Union. At a Dec. 10 meeting in Brussels with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayiip Erdogan, Rabbi Levi Matusov, director of the European Jewish Community Center, said he supported Turkish entry into the 25-member bloc, adding that Europe was "enriched by multiculturalism." Matusov also thanked Erdogan for his good wishes for Chanukah and his "support for religious tolerance, understanding and cooperation in his country and around the world," according to a statement from the center. Erdogan's visit to Brussels came as the European Union prepared to debate the opening of Turkey's candidacy on Dec. 17, a process that ultimately could lead to the largely Muslim country being accepted as a full member within 10 years. Turkish E.U. membership is strongly backed by leading European Jewish organizations, Israel and the Bush administration, which hope it will help support moderate Muslim forces in the Middle East. http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2004/12/13/news/world/aaa.txt">Here</a>;
A European Jewish organization wants Turkey brought into the European Union. At a Dec. 10 meeting in Brussels with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayiip Erdogan, Rabbi Levi Matusov, director of the European Jewish Community Center, said he supported Turkish entry into the 25-member bloc, adding that Europe was "enriched by multiculturalism." Matusov also thanked Erdogan for his good wishes for Chanukah and his "support for religious tolerance, understanding and cooperation in his country and around the world," according to a statement from the center. Erdogan's visit to Brussels came as the European Union prepared to debate the opening of Turkey's candidacy on Dec. 17, a process that ultimately could lead to the largely Muslim country being accepted as a full member within 10 years. Turkish E.U. membership is strongly backed by leading European Jewish organizations, Israel and the Bush administration, which hope it will help support moderate Muslim forces in the Middle East. http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2004/12/13/news/world/aaa.txt">Here</a>;