This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6185209.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Turkey's EU membership 'crucial' Middle East at 'critical moment'
(about 1 hour later)
Turkey's membership of the European Union is fundamental to the Middle East peace process, Tony Blair has said. The Middle East faces a "critical moment of decision", Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
The prime minister said he is a "strong supporter" of the country's bid to join the union and believes it is in a strategically important position. The next few days and weeks would be crucial for the future stability of the region, he said after talks in Turkey.
Mr Blair spoke as he began a Middle East tour aimed at kick-starting the Israeli and Palestinian peace process.Mr Blair spoke as he began a Middle East tour aimed at kick-starting the Israeli and Palestinian peace process.
The prime minister said he is a "strong supporter" of Turkey's bid to join the European Union and believes it could play an important role in the region.
Speaking in the capital Ankara, he said nothing was more important in the Middle East and the rest of the world than the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
'Critical moment'
Mr Blair's trip comes after gun battles between supporters of the Palestinian Hamas and Fatah factions in Ramallah on Friday.
He said: "As you can see from the events of the last 24 hours, the next few days or weeks are a critical moment of decision for this whole process."
He believes the most important thing was to establish "a fully functioning authority" which will "start to create the structures on the Palestinian side that then allow a negotiation for peace with Israel to go forward".
Worsening violence was a reason for going there, not for staying away, he said.
"If we don't get a new sense of urgency and movement in this situation, it will continue to go backwards and the suffering of the Palestinian people and the implications for the region and for the security of Israel are dreadful."
Mr Blair has begun a tour of the Middle East
He believes Turkey can play an important role as part of an "arc of moderation" in the Muslim world and as a bridge between Europe and the region.
"Turkey is placed right between the Middle East and Europe and if we needed no other reminder of the strategic importance of Turkey to the European Union it is what is happening in the Middle East today," he said.
His counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he was committed to finding a solution of the conflict.His counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he was committed to finding a solution of the conflict.
Speaking in the capital Ankara, Mr Blair said: "Turkey is placed right between the Middle East and Europe and if we needed no other reminder of the strategic importance of Turkey to the European Union it is what is happening in the Middle East today ". Mr Blair earlier praised Turkey's leadership and said the country's membership was also "of fundamental importance to the future of Europe".
Nothing was more important in the Middle East and the rest of the world than the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians and the next few weeks and months were crucial, he said. He said he would like to see the establishment of direct flights between Britain and Turkish Northern Cyprus if this could be lawfully achieved.
He earlier praised Turkey's leadership and said the country's membership was also "of fundamental importance to the future of Europe".
Suspending talksSuspending talks
Mr Erdogan called the EU's decision to partially freeze talks with his country as a "great injustice". Meanwhile, Mr Erdogan called the EU's decision to partially freeze talks with his country as a "great injustice".
Mr Blair arrived in Turkey on Friday after attending a two-day EU summit in Brussels where the partial freeze was agreed.Mr Blair arrived in Turkey on Friday after attending a two-day EU summit in Brussels where the partial freeze was agreed.
EU foreign ministers decided to suspend accession talks with Turkey on eight of the 35 areas that candidates are required to complete.EU foreign ministers decided to suspend accession talks with Turkey on eight of the 35 areas that candidates are required to complete.
It follows Turkey's refusal to open its sea and air ports to EU member Cyprus, under a customs union pact it signed with the bloc last year.It follows Turkey's refusal to open its sea and air ports to EU member Cyprus, under a customs union pact it signed with the bloc last year.
But Mr Erdogan told the press conference his country was committed to reforms which would allow it entry into Europe.But Mr Erdogan told the press conference his country was committed to reforms which would allow it entry into Europe.
Peace processPeace process
Aides had earlier said the prime minister would be using his trip to explore the possibilities for "unbarring the door" to progress in the peace process, which he is understood to see as the key for a wider resolution of tensions in the region as a whole, including Iraq.Aides had earlier said the prime minister would be using his trip to explore the possibilities for "unbarring the door" to progress in the peace process, which he is understood to see as the key for a wider resolution of tensions in the region as a whole, including Iraq.
On Friday Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "This is about getting momentum, stepping up a gear to try to get things moving on Israel [and] Palestine. On Friday Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "This is about getting momentum, stepping up a gear to try to get things moving on Israel [and] Palestine."
"Part of that is exploring the choice which really confronts Palestine, first of all, which is how do they actually move from the status quo to the reality of trying to get a Palestinian state established?"
Although no major breakthrough is expected during Mr Blair's visit, the UK will aim to play a "facilitating and helpful role" in establishing a sense of direction about what the next steps in the peace process might be, the spokesman said.Although no major breakthrough is expected during Mr Blair's visit, the UK will aim to play a "facilitating and helpful role" in establishing a sense of direction about what the next steps in the peace process might be, the spokesman said.
Mr Blair is going on to visit Cairo in Egypt after leaving Turkey. Mr Blair is going on to visit Cairo in Egypt after leaving Turkey. He will also go to Israel, the Palestinian territories and the United Arab Emirates.