Swedish FM Bildt questions countries opposed to Turkey's EU bid

European Union term President Carl Bildt on Wednesday asked those opposing Turkish membership to the EU: "Did the enlargements to date take place because the public wanted them?"

Participating in a debate on the future enlargement of the EU at the European Parliament, the Swedish foreign minister made comments to oppose those against Turkish membership and those who wanted to end the membership negotiations with Turkey and offer Turkey a privileged partnership instead of full membership.

Far-right deputies are against Turkish membership in the EU because of its large, Muslim-majority population, Bildt said. The Treaty of Amsterdam and Article 49 do not allow for exceptions for big countries, he said, adding that the treaty also has no religious criteria.

Article 49 states that the EU is founded on principles of freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights and basic freedoms. It states that any European country displaying respect for such principles may apply for full membership, Bildt said.

The Treaty of Amsterdam was signed on October 2, 1997, and entered into force on May 1, 1999; it made substantial changes to the Treaty on the European Union, which was signed at Maastricht in 1992.

The Amsterdam Treaty meant a greater emphasis on citizenship and the rights of individuals, an attempt to achieve more democracy in the shape of increased powers for the European Parliament, a new title on employment, a Community area of freedom, security and justice, the beginnings of a common foreign and security policy, and the reform of the institutions in the run-up to enlargement.