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Holy See Neutral on Turkey's Entry Into European Union

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  • Holy See Neutral on Turkey's Entry Into European Union

    Zenit News Agency, Italy
    Nov. 1, 2004

    Holy See Neutral on Turkey's Entry Into European Union

    Depends on EU Criteria, Says Vatican Official

    VATICAN CITY, NOV. 1, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See does not have an
    official position on Turkey's entrance in the European Union, and
    considers that the decision must be made according to EU rules.

    In an interview with the Turin newspaper La Stampa, Archbishop Giovanni
    Lajolo, Vatican secretary for relations with states, clarified that "in
    the case of adherence, Turkey must satisfy all the political criteria
    set forth at the Copenhagen Summit in December 2002."

    These criteria include the complete guarantee of human rights as well
    as full individual and corporate religious freedom, "founded on the
    dignity of man."

    In particular, the prelate analyzed the situation of religious freedom
    in the country, and stressed that "not only must it be guaranteed at
    the level of the Constitution, legislation and administration, but must
    also be effectively protected in the concrete aspects of the social
    fabric."

    Those who are opposed to Turkey's entrance into the European Union
    generally think that such a decision might weaken the cultural unity of
    the Continent. Those who promote it believe that it would give the
    Muslim world an example of integration into the Western world.

    Archbishop Lajolo said that these arguments show that "what is at stake
    is of transcendental relevance, and therefore it is very understandable
    that some European governments wish to be supported in their decision
    by a referendum."

    "Anyway, the Holy See is not afraid of an enlargement of Europe: John
    Paul II has spoken on several occasions of a united Europe from the
    Atlantic to the Urals. It is critical that the New Europe have profound
    inner cohesion," the archbishop said.

    Archbishop Lajolo added that "more attention should be paid to states
    that are already candidates, such as Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, as
    well as Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia -- countries that have an
    old and great culture."

    "And the list could continue with other states of the Balkans, such as
    Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania, which Europe cannot do
    without and to which the Holy See also feels very close," he concluded.
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