The EU’s enlargement chief says the Georgian crisis has strengthened the strategic importance of Turkey in the Caucasus region and for the European bloc.
European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn says Turkey’s diplomacy is helping solve political problems in the region and is also forging new ties between Syria and Europe.
Rehn described Turkey as an important bridge between Europe and the Islamic world, saying it is also trying to help improve relations between Israel and the Palestinians.
“In other words, everything that has happened in recent weeks has only strengthened Turkey’s strategic importance from the EU’s point of view,” Rehn told reporters in Helsinki on Friday, the AP reports.
