| | | | Speaking during a one day visit to the Turkish capital, Berlusconi said that Italy would continue to back Turkey’s bid to gain full membership of the European bloc.
“We have been a supporter of Turkey’s EU membership on every platform that this issue has been discussed,” Berlusconi said at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “Italy’s backing for Turkish membership will continue at a growing rate during its EU presidency.”
In response, Erdoğan said that he was confident that Italy and Berlusconi would continue their active support of Turkey’s EU aspirations.
Berlusconi also outlined his vision of a greater Europe, which he said should include Turkey, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. This expanded bloc would be in a better position to challenge the US, he said.
During his visit Berlusconi also met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Bulent Arınç, the speaker of the Turkish. After his round of official functions in Ankara, the Turkish and Italian Prime Ministers flew to Istanbul to attend a dinner with leading Turkish businessmen.
The visit of the Italian Premier had added significance as Italy is to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union from Greece on July 1.
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