European Affairs

The hon. Gentleman will probably have to look at the views of every member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group on Turkish accession. We know that there are difficulties with Turkey's accession. It will have to go through many different chapters before it can accede to the EU. We believe that, for strategic reasons, having a secular Muslim country in the EU would be good for our strategic interests and for diversifying energy routes and ensuring our energy security. Most significantly, I know that there are those who are frightened of Turkey because of migration issues, but I suspect that Turkey will be the Asian tiger on our doorstep. If we do not have Turkey in the EU—not facing west, but facing east—that will be a big mistake for us all.