Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair underlined his support for Turkey's membership of the European Union on Saturday, saying the Muslim nation's strategic location could help to foster peace in the Middle East, according to Reuters. It was the first visit by a European leader to Turkey since accession negotiations were partially suspended over Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to traffic from Cyprus. "The reason why it is so important we devote energy and commitment to the process of Turkish accession... is that it is not just important for Turkey itself but it is of fundamental importance to the future of Europe," Blair said in Ankara. "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 EU it is what is happening in the Middle East today," he told a news conference with his Turkish counterpart.
