Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-01-Speech-4-181"
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"en.20040401.3.4-181"2
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"Mr President, I acknowledge that Mr Bourlanges is one of the most learned Members of this House. Consequently, I am stunned by his bold declaration that Turkey is not a European country. To say that, Mr Bourlanges, would be like saying that Byzantium is and has never been European. Go on pilgrimage to Ravenna and then we can speak about it.
This issue has nothing to do with the past, however, and everything to do with the future. The question is whether or not we want Turkey to be part of European integration. It is not history that will take us forward, but our own will and that of our peoples. I share the concerns held by Mr Bourlanges and others. I am one of those hoping for serious debates to take place, including in this House, so that we can take decisions based on careful consideration. I would say, however, that those who have expressed their views have done so prematurely, and at a time when any reservations we may have about Turkey, be they well-founded or otherwise, undermine the difficult task to which the EU is committed, alongside the UN, that of finding a solution to the Cyprus question. This is not the right time, therefore, to be discussing such matters and less still to be taking decisions, which is why I unreservedly endorse the proposal before us."@en1
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