Karamanlis Backs Turkey's Eu Push

The Age

Saturday May 26, 2007

Farah Farouque

GREEK Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has backed Muslim-populated Turkey's bid to enter the European Union, and endorsed Islam's compatibility with European values.

Mr Karamanlis said in his mind "it was very, very clear" that Islam as a faith did not identify with terror. "I have many friends of Islamic faith, throughout many, many countries (who) are very law abiding citizens, very democratically oriented, very moderate," he said.

Mr Karamanlis said he had nothing against moderates who adhered to democratic procedures and values.

-- FARAH FAROUQUE