| | | | Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who is also the current term head of the European Union, said there should not be new barriers put in front of Turkey’s EU bid.
“The decision must be arrived at honestly, under the ground rules to which we previously, in 2002, firmly committed ourselves,” Balkenende said. “That means strict application of the criteria laid down, but without inventing new criteria.”
Most importantly, the EU members must not allow themselves to be guided by fear of Islam or other factors when assessing Turkey’s request for a date to open membership talks, he said.
“Raising barriers to any particular religion does not fit in with Europe’s shared values,” said Balkenende.
“Islam is not the problem,” he continued. “Muslims, Christians and people of other beliefs can live together perfectly well. The problem is not religion but misuse of religion to sow hatred and intolerance and to repress women.”
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