Eastwest Institute VP: "Europe can't ignore Turkey"

There are many negative views about Turkey in the European public, and many reasons for this, said EastWest Institute Vice President Greg Austin yesterday. "First, Turks' immigration to Europe happens for economic reasons," he explained at a Brussels meeting on the impact of 50 years of Turkish immigration to Europe. "Second, the role of the media. Third, the domestic policy maneuvering of European politicians. We have to promote a political image in order to change this." He added, "Turkey is very important for Europe. Turkey has the world's 17th-largest economy, and it has a very dynamic population. Europe cannot ignore Turkey." Also speaking at the meeting, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Bingol Deputy Cevdet Yilmaz said that the AKP supports integration, rather than assimilation. Afterwards, Brigitte Grouwels, Belgium's minister for equal opportunity, said, "We are grateful to Turkish workers, who are Belgium's economic engine. But the needs of fourth-generation immigrants are different. We have to meet these needs with mutual understanding and tolerance."