Turks react with concern to EU presidency appointment (Roundup)

Nov 20, 2009, 14:33 GMT

Istanbul - The appointment of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as president of the European Union was met with concern in Turkey because of the Belgian's previous comments against Ankara's joining the EU.

The headlines of Turkey's major papers voiced something approaching alarm in announcing Van Rompuy's appointment. 'Bad News' wrote the daily Radikal. 'Opposition to Turkey at the top of the EU,' wrote Vatan, another major daily.

The press reports pointed in particular to a comment attributed to Van Rompuy in a speech while he was in the opposition in Belgium in which he said 'Turkey is not part of Europe and will never be part of Europe.'

The official response, though, was more measured. '[Belgium has] generally taken a positive stance toward the enlargement and have also supported our membership bid,' Egemen Bagis, Turkey's chief EU negotiator said in a written statement released on Friday.

'It is important that Rompuy promised to be fair and objective related to our country's membership bid. It suits the principle of pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be kept),' he said.

Turkish officials have recently expressed their worries that opposition to Ankara's EU bid is growing, and that German and French plans to steer the country towards a 'privileged partnership' with the bloc are gaining traction.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Turkish President Abdullah Gul called on the EU and its member countries to live up to the agreement made in 2004 to open up membership negotiations with Ankara.

'There was a unanimous decision to open the talks after lengthy debates. Honoring promises is a main principle of law and it is binding on all,' Gul said.