TOKYO - The debt crisis in the euro zone has not dampened Turkey's desire to join the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday, as it seeks to carry out political reforms to meet conditions of membership.
Speaking at a news conference after meeting with Japanese cabinet ministers, Babacan also urged European countries to act decisively to deal with the sovereign debt crisis there, warning of global consequences if they fail to get their act together.Babacan said that it was important for Turkey to improve in areas such as the rule of law and the quality of democracy in order to meet the political criteria of EU membership. However, the minister, who is responsible for overseeing the economy, said that the EU was no model for Turkey in terms of economics.
