Turkey Ready to Provide 60 Thousand Soldiers to the EU
In case of Turkey's accession to the EU, Turkey could provide the EU an army of 60 thousand people, Volkan Bozkır, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs declared adding: "Due to the fact that the EU still has not created an army, it still positions itself as a soft power. Without an army it is not possible to become a superpower. In case Turkey joins the EU, it would ensure the creation of its army of 60 thousand people," Ria Novosti reports.
On Sunday the German Welt am Sonntag published the interview of the the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who declared about the need to create a joint European army - as a tool to promote the interests of Europe. At the same, the statement of the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs was not something new. Back in October 2014 Volkan Bozkır during his visit to Berlin, said that "if Turkey becomes a member of the EU, the EU will be able to create an army of 60,000 soldiers." "The EU has no effectiveness while intervening in this or that question, because it does not have its military structure," - the Turkish Minister said.
Ankara submitted the application for the EU membership in 1987. Accession negotiations started in 2005. Since then, 14 of the 35 chapters of the reforms (reforms that Ankara should fulfill in order to meet the requirements for EU membership standards) have been opened by Turkey. The remaining 17 chapters remain locked.
The Turkish side claims that "Turkey meets the criteria of the EU's key points that will have a strategic impact on the future of the EU. According to it, these points are - strong economy, young and hardworking population, strategic position of the energy supply routes in the region where 70% of the world oil and gas resources are, and finally, its armed forces." However, the EU in its annual report on Turkey's progress noted that there is interference in the judicial system of the country and prohibitions on various media by the Turkish Government, also the Kurdish unresolved question which make it impossible for the EU to become an EU member country.
Other materials on this subject
- 2 dead, 2 injured after fire at lodging section of Armenian Catholic Church in Istanbul He said the firefighter-rescue team arrived immediately. Armenian Catholic Archeparch of Istanbul Archbishop Lévon Zékiyan was also on the scene.
- Turkey is sending Cold War-era cluster bombs to Ukraine – FP The weapons are designed to destroy tanks by bursting into smaller submunitions, which can linger on the battlefield for years if they do not immediately explode. Each round scatters about 88 bomblets.
- Fire erupts in Turkey’s Black Sea port of Samsun following explosion The causes for the explosion that led to a fire are currently being analyzed.
- EU Urges Turkey to Stop Offering Russia Solutions to Circumvent Sanctions Speaking about the EU's engagement with Turkey, an important neighbor, EU partner and candidate country for EU membership, we stress the importance of ensuring that Turkey's foreign policy is aligned with...
- Any Change of Internationally Recognized Borders in Region is Unacceptable – Iranian President to Erdogan "The basis of our policy in the region is that the fates of the countries must be determined by themselves and that their national sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected" Raisi told Erdogan...
Other materials on this subject
- The European Union Has Decided to Abandon Russian Coal In the Summer Many countries have joined these sanctions, even if this necessarily implies economic costs for ourselves," he noted.
- Germany Faces Steep Recession if Russian Oil and Gas Halted, Bank Lobby Says "The situation would be even worse if imports or supplies of Russian oil and natural gas were to be halted. A significant recession in Germany would then be virtually unavoidable," Sewing told journalists.
- EU Leaders Agree on Joint Gas Purchases Last year, the European Commission proposed to the EU countries a system of joint purchases of strategic gas reserves as a way to provide a buffer against possible supply disruptions. Fears of supply disruptions...
- European Union Launches “Team Europe” Package to Support Partner Countries with More than €20 Billion: Reuters Most of the money is being reallocated from other, less urgent EU foreign aid schemes in the EU’s common budget, but Borrell said the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and...
- The Guardian: EU Leaders Clash Over Economic Response to Coronavirus Crisis Meeting via a video link, the EU’s 27 leaders papered over deep divisions by agreeing that another fortnight was needed to discuss ambitious economic recovery plans. After a testy debate over "coronabonds",...
Read also
-
Peace treaty must include provisions that guarantee the integrity of Armenia’s sovereign territory, European Parliament
-
Toivo Klaar: Georgia’s role as bridge between Armenia and Azerbaijan is very important
-
EU sends rescue teams to Turkey after deadly earthquake
-
European Commission points to Kiev's deficits as part of EU acceptance process
-
EU intends to impose new anti-Russian sanctions by special op anniversary
-
EU has called on Azerbaijan to take measures to ensure freedom, security of movement in Lachin corridor - Borrell
-
Common Aviation Area Agreement between EU and Armenia enters into force
-
Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement should not become hostage to the competition between the EU and Russia: EU representative
-
17:08The regular session of the Anti-corruption Policy Council takes place in Jermuk
-
15:05The Prime Minister sends congratulatory messages to the supreme leader of Iran and the President of Iran
-
11:11Armenia sends earthquake aid to Turkey
-
10:43Commemoration of the Pontiff St. Sahak Partev
-
09:16Some roads are closed and difficult to pass in Armenia
-
19:55Phone conversation of the Foreign Minister of Armenia with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
-
18:30Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Khachaturyan meet
-
18:20Ararat Mirzoyan with Co-Chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group of France Brice Roquefeuil
-
17:01Humans could land on Mars within 10 years, Musk predicts
-
16:45France, US urge 'immediate' end to Nagorno Karabakh blockade
-
16:01Blockaded Nagorno Karabakh launches fundraiser to support quake-hit Syria
-
15:59Earthquake death toll in Turkey rises to 18,342
-
15:43Ararat Mirzoyan Held a Telephone Conversation with Sergey Lavrov
-
15:06French president rules out fighter jet supplies to Ukraine in near future
-
14:475 Day Weather Forecast in Armenia
-
14:44President Vahagn Khachaturyan wrote a note in the book of condolences opened in the Embassy of Syria in Armenia
-
14:20Azerbaijan’s provocations impede establishment of peace and stability – Armenian FM tells Russian Co-Chair of OSCE MG
-
12:57France representation to OSCE: Paris calls on Azerbaijan to restore freedom of movement through Lachin corridor
-
11:40Command of Kosovo forces highly appreciated preparation of Armenian peacekeepers
-
10:16The United States withdrew from sanctions against Syria for six months the provision of assistance after the earthquake
day
week
month
Humidity: 22%
Wind: 1.54 km/h