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Arab uprisings make Turkey even more valuable to EU, says Ashton

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Feb 4, IRNA -- The EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said Friday that the uprisings in the Arab World make Turkey an “even more important” partner to the 27-member group of countries.

“We are witnessing major change in the Middle East. The contours are not clear yet – they cannot be,” Catherine Ashton said as EU leaders were seeking to formulate a collective response to the protests demanding a revolution in Egypt.

“We do know that in future the role of Turkey will be even more important, as a valued partner of the European Union and a pole of democratic moderation,” said Ashton, who is also a British peer.

“We also know that urgent progress on the Middle East peace process is vital, now more than ever,” she said in an article published on the Guardian’s Comment is Free website.

The EU has remained deeply divided over attempts made by Turkey to become a member that started more than 20 years ago. Accession negotiation did not start until 2005, but several members remain opposed to its joining because of its Muslim heritage.

Journalist and political analyst Sajid Ali Khan told IRNA this week that what is happening in Egypt has potential implications much wider than the Arab World.

“My view is wider: a strong Turkey, a strong Egypt, a strong Iran revolutionises the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas,” said Khan, former editor of World Affairs.

Ashton pledged that the EU will offer its “full support” to an Egypt that moves without delay towards a genuine political transition, but condition this to a “deep democracy” taking root.

The EU, she said, has already increased the money available to support civil society in Tunisia, was about to dispatch experts to assess the situation on the ground there and will further adjust its assistance to help the people more directly.

“In the end, deep democracy is the best, and arguably only, answer to those who fear that the overthrow of tyranny will lead to the populism of anti-western extremism,” the EU’s effective foreign minister said.

“Europe's experience tells us that true democracy is the necessary foundation of tolerance, peace and prosperity. In north Africa and the Arab world that destination will not be reached quickly or without setbacks. But building deep democracy is the only way that destination will be reached at all,” she said.