Turkey must join EU, says Cameron: 'Those who are against are playing on fears of Islam'

David Cameron today accused critics of Turkey’s membership of the EU of playing on fears of Islam - as he pledged to ‘pave the road from Ankara to Brussels’.

In a speech in the Turkish capital the Prime Minister promised to ‘fight’ to help the Islamic state achieve its 50-year goal of EU membership.

He said that, by embracing the moderate Muslim nation, the EU can improve relations with the rest of the Islamic world.

And he hit out at those who ‘wilfully misunderstand Islam’ in order to oppose Turkey’s membership.

He said: ‘They see no difference between real Islam and the distorted version of the extremists.

‘They think the values of Islam can never be compatible with the values of other religions, societies or cultures.

‘All these arguments are just plain wrong. I want us to be at the forefront of an international effort to defeat them.’

Mr Cameron’s words put him at odds with France, Germany and Tory Right-wingers who believe Turkey may be incompatible with the EU.

EU countries are in a position to use their veto to block a move for Turkish accession. But they are now coming under pressure from the U.S. as well as Britain.

The Prime Minister hit out at ‘protectionists’ who see Turkey as an ‘economic threat’.

And he criticised those who see the world as a ‘clash of civilisations’ in which Turkey must choose sides.

Turkey has been trying to join the EU for more than half a century and formally applied in 1987.

Negotiations on entry began in 2005, but have stalled because of resistance from France and Germany, which are pressing for a lesser ‘privileged partnership’ deal.
Critics in Britain have warned that Turkey’s entry will provoke an influx of immigrants flocking to the UK.

Mr Cameron pledged to become the country’s ‘strongest possible advocate’.

He said: ‘I’m here to make the case for Turkey’s membership of the EU. And fight for it.’

Many are sceptical about the capacity of the EU to absorb a nation of 72million, two-thirds of under the age of 35, and with a GDP per head of less than half the European average.

Population projections suggest Turkey would overtake Germany to become the biggest state in Europe by 2020.
Many are also concerned about the prospect of an Islamic state joining the mainly Christian EU.

But Mr Cameron pointed to Turkey’s support for Western efforts in Afghanistan and its moderating influence in the Middle East.

He highlighted economic forecasts suggesting Turkey is set to become one of the world’s biggest economies.

Mr Cameron also plans to kickstart a special relationship with India with a visit to the country later this week.

Five members of the Cabinet, two ministers of state and more than 50 FTSE chief executives will begin a mission to drum up trade and diplomatic relations with the nation.

Mr Cameron will be joined by Chancellor George Osborne, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Mr Osborne said: ‘India matters, its economy is growing at three times the speed of ours.
'That’s why this week David Cameron will lead the strongest British delegation to visit India in modern times.’

One of the first deals of the trip is expected to be a £500million deal for BAE Systems to supply Hawk jets to India.


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