EU minister says Europe in decline

ANKARA

The European Union has entered a period of decline following France’s controversial decision to pass a bill criminalizing the denial of Armenian claims of genocide, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said.

“Europe has entered a decline after the EU went against its model values of democracy and human rights,” said Babacan at the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) meetings over the weekend. “[Europe’s decline] is already evident in their economy,” continued Babacan. “But as Turkey, we are confident in ourselves. We know what we are doing.”

For Babacan, apart from economic indicators, a French parliamentary approval of a controversial bill penalizing the denial of the Armenian “genocide” puts further evidence on the decline of the EU.
In addition, Babacan said the EU lacks strong political leaders, made evident by France’s decision to pass the genocide bill. “The mentality that made the historic mistake of approving that bill is also trying to direct the economy. It’s not working.”

While citing weak leaders, Babacan recalled a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in which he was also present alongside President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Sarkozy had assured to Gül and Erdoğan that the bill would fail, Babacan said.

“I myself heard that during the meetings we had together. What happened last week then? Where is the promise?” he asked.

“(Keeping) a promise is very important in politics. If this promise is being made by a statesman, then this binds the state and the country,” Babacan said.

European leaders’ unskilled stance poses a threat to the global economy as a whole, added the deputy PM added. k HDN