Timmermans: Turkije van harte welkom in EU

Timmermans voiced his personal support for opening the chapters but said his government and Parliament would have the final word on the issue.

“Because I believe there are arguments to be said in favor of doing this, because it will engage Turkey in the debate on issues having to do with rule of law. I believe it will be good to engage in these subjects,” he said at the sixth meeting of the Turkey-Netherlands Bilateral (Wittenburg) Conference on Feb. 14.

“The Netherlands will be one, once negotiations have finished, who gladly welcome Turkey among the EU member states. It’s only fair that the process that started with the intention of making Turkey a member of the EU should lead to its membership if we can conclude the negotiations in a positive way,” the Dutch minister said.