Ankara - British Foreign Secretary David Miliband Wednesday expressed Britain's support for Turkey's bid to join the European Union, saying that proposals that fall short of full membership for Turkey were not an alternative. "We want to be allies of Turkey inside the European Union and not just proponents of a better dialogue between the European Union and Turkey," Miliband said at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan in Ankara in remarks that were a clear reference to the French and Austrian governments' reluctance to back full membership for Turkey.
Miliband arrived in Ankara Tuesday accompanying Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip on a royal visit, the first by the queen since 1971.
"The visit of the queen is a symbol of the deepening relationship between our countries," Miliband said, adding that the relationship was economic, cultural, educational and political. The royal couple on Wednesday visited the western Turkey city of Bursa.
Miliband praised Turkish government reforms carried out in its bid to join the European Union and expressed concern over a court case that might see the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) closed down on charges of anti-secular activities.
"We adhere to the very strong principle that governments are chosen by the people and not chosen by lawyers," Miliband said noting that the AKP government was re-elected last year. He refused to be drawn, however, on what might happen to Turkey-EU relations if the AKP is indeed closed down.
Critics of the government have accused it of weakening secular laws and that the mildly Islamic party seeks to ultimately introduce sharia law.
Miliband also announced that Britain and Turkey would launch "special bilateral dialogues" on counter-terrorism and climate change.
