Hungary warns that EU accession failure will turn Turkey into a rival

Hungary, set to take over the European Union's six-month rotating term presidency on Jan. 1, yesterday encouraged Turkey to stick with its EU accession bid, while warning the Union what a failure in this bid would bring. "Either a new Ottoman Empire will be established as a rival for EU, or Turkey will join the EU and our forces will be combined," Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi told Brussels-based EU News. "I believe Turkey's membership will bring key advantages to the EU. I think Turkey's admission into the EU is a strategic choice of great importance." Pledging to do whatever is necessary to advance Turkey's accession process, Martonyi said they plan to open the competition chapter to negotiations with Turkey as soon as possible. Urging Ankara not to be deterred by hardships in its accession process, and to continue with determination, Martonyi said, "We know the problems facing Turkey in its EU accession process. There are feelings of resentment on Turkey's part. But Turkey shouldn't get discouraged. During our term presidency, we will work to move Turkey's accession process forward." If the political problems between Ankara and Brussels are overcome, Turkey's accession process should gain momentum, he added.