By Martin Banks - 3rd February 2010
Istanbul is a brilliant choice as a capital of culture
Andrew Duff
Senior UK deputy Andrew Duff has said that EU-Turkey relations still face a "clutch of problems".
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, the ALDE member said outstanding issues ranged from the economy and security in the country to democracy and freedom of expression.
"The prize [of EU membership] is great but, clearly, modernisation is still required and political and economic difficulties continue to frustrate EU-Turkey relations," he said.
Duff was a keynote speaker at an event in parliament to formally launch Istanbul as a European capital of culture for 2010.
He said, "It is easy to fall into the trap of using clichés such as 'bridge building' and 'east meets west' when it comes to describing Istanbul and EU-Turkey relations.
"But my hope is that, despite the clutch of problems which affect the EU-Turkey relationship, at the end of 2010 we [the EU and Turkey] can come to appreciate each other more profoundly that we do now.
"Istanbul is a brilliant choice as a capital of culture and if the prize of EU membership is fascinating for Turkey it also is for the EU."
Speaking at the same event, French Greens MEP Helene Flautre, who chairs parliament's delegation to the EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee, said she believes Istanbul's status as a capital of culture will enable it to showcase the best of the country.
She also praised the "political will and courage" of Ankara towards satisfying EU demands for reform towards possible EU membership.
Turkish EU affairs minister Egemen Bagis said the event was appropriate as "parliament embodies the coming together of a European cultural community".
He added, "In Istanbul, the same idea of coexistence and diversity is at the heart of what makes the city unique."
The meeting comes ahead of a separate debate in parliament on Wednesday entitled 'EU, Turkey and the Kurds'.
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