ANKARA
The former president of the Senate of the Dutch Parliament and former president of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) Senator Rene van der Linden has said that Turkey was extremely important for the future of Europe continent.
"Turkey has committed himself to be part of European accession process, and they have done a lot to make himself ready for the accession process. All the members of the EU promised to go positive behaviour in this process, and they signed agreement for accession, not for special partnership. So it is not fair if some member states of the EU now change their mind. They obstruct accession of Turkey to the union. Of course both parts have to fulfill their commitments. In my mind, Turkey is extremely important for the future of European continent," Van der Linden told AA correspondent in an exclusive interview.
Stating that Turkey's interest for EU and EU's interest for Turkey may change from time to time, Van der Linden said that it was a process and process had always ups and downs.
"Today in the EU, you have difficult economic position. But I am sure that after this difficult period in the EU, there will be new challenges. It is for sure that each crisis bring Europe further, it is necessary to have crisis from time to time. Lets use proverb, 'never waste a good crisis'," he said.
He stated that the EU was dealing with problems they have and they were dealing with them in a proper way.
"The first sing of recovery are already there, it is not enough but it takes time, but for sure EU will remain very important player in the global economy" said Van der Linden.
Van der Linden stated that Turkey was always very loyal partner in NATO and Council of Europe, adding that, "Today, Turkey is in a very difficult situation with neighbours, because if you look at Syria and Iran, Turkey need to full support of the EU and NATO. It shows once again that how important Turkey as a stable, prosperous and democratic country in this very difficult region of Europe."
Relating to the deployment of Patriot missiles system in the south of Turkey, Dutch Senator said that Iran's and Russia's concerns were irrational.
" I do not see them as a start of, lets say, a process to more military conflicts in the region," he said.
Touching on the xenophobia and Islamophobia which are mentioned as problems recent years in the continent, Van der Linden said that those problems would overcome.
"It is a question of civilization. I must tell you frankly that if a hate speech against any religion or any minority or any part of community, it is not hate speech to them, it is a hate speech also to people like me. Because we are promoting intercultural dialogues, we are promoting mutual understanding, we are fighting against misunderstandings, and especially prejudices" he said.
Dutch Senator was decorated with the Order of the Republic by Turkish President Abdullah Gul on February 14.
