Thursday 20th June 2013

(10 years, 11 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Warsi Portrait Baroness Warsi
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My noble friend makes an important point in relation to Turkey’s economy. It has enjoyed 5% growth on average over the past 10 years. It is effectively one of Europe’s strongest-growing economies. We must congratulate Turkey on that. Britain has seen success on the back of it, but I take the noble Baroness’s point in relation to further European accession. It is because Turkey continues its path towards European accession that it carries on making these reforms and we must therefore encourage rather than discourage it.

Lord Hylton Portrait Lord Hylton
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My Lords, I welcome the noble Baroness’s response in regard to the Kurdish question that is long outstanding in Turkey. Does this not include work on a new constitution and can our Government be helpful through our experience of devolution within the United Kingdom?

Baroness Warsi Portrait Baroness Warsi
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We always stand ready to support Turkey in whatever way we feel that we can add value.