Swedish PM: "The EU has to keep its word to Turkey"

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt yesterday said that the European Union has to keep its word to Turkey. Stating that the EU promised to be open to new members as long as they fulfill the Copenhagen criteria, Reinfeldt added, "I think we have to abide by this assurance. But this means a reform process and change." In related news, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn's spokesperson Krisztina Nagy yesterday spoke about French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel's recent statements that they favor a "privileged partnership" for Turkey in lieu of full EU membership. "The EU's stance on Turkey is very clear and we have stated it many times," she said. "The important thing here is Turkey fulfilling the EU criteria."