Sweden's ASP: "Hindering Turkey's EU membership process would be a historic mistake"

Hindering Turkey's full European Union membership process would be a historic mistake, said Sweden's Ambassador to Ankara Christer Asp yesterday. Speaking to Star daily, Asp, whose country will assume the EU's rotating presidency from the Czech Republic on July 1, spoke of Germany and France's proposal that Turkey be given "privileged partnership" in lieu of full membership. Stating that Sweden will work to ease Turkey's process during its presidency, he added that Turkey has long been part of Europe culturally, and has had a great impact on European society.