David Miliband, Britain's Secretary of State, reaffirmed London's support for Turkey's bid to join the European Union after his meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday.

Britain backs Turkey's EU bid - 15 / 05 / 2008 09:06

While reaffirming London's support of Turkey's bid to join the European Union, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday expressed once again his government's concern over an ongoing closure case against Turkey's ruling party.

Miliband's strongly worded statements came at a joint press conference here following a meeting with Turkish counterpart Foreign Minister Ali Babacan.

Miliband is part of the delegation accompanying Queen Elizabeth II, who is on a landmark visit to the EU candidate country 37 years after her previous visit.

"We adhere to the very strong principle that governments are chosen by the people and not chosen by lawyers," Miliband said in response to a question, while also underlining that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was re-elected last year.

Even as he praised reforms the Turkish government had carried out in its bid to join the EU, Miliband refused to speculate on what might happen to Turkey-EU relations if the AK Party was indeed closed down.

Miliband was the first foreign minister to visit Turkey in September of last year after the conclusion of a lengthy election process there.

Miliband also said yesterday that proposals that fell short of full membership for Turkey were not an alternative.

"We want to be allies of Turkey inside the European Union and not just proponents of a better dialogue between the European Union and Turkey," he said, in apparent reference to the French and Austrian governments' reluctance to back full membership for Turkey.

Britain has been a vocal supporter of eventual Turkish EU membership, with Miliband describing the queen's visit as "a symbol of the deepening relationship" between the two countries.

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