Blair hails positive end to Turkey accession talks

Tony Blair has hailed the deal to begin accession talks with Turkey as "an immensely significant day for Europe".

As he left the summit, he said the agreement showed that “the fact that Turkey is a Muslim country does not mean it should be barred from the European Union”.

The British Prime Minister said: “Everyone accepts it will be at least a decade before it’s (Turkey’s) membership comes about.

“I think there’s a real sense of people wanting to come together and work together. I think it’s a good day for Europe, for Turkey and for the wider world.”

Mr Blair added that “everyone is sensitive to concerns” that Turkey would be joining the EU as a Muslim country with quite separate traditions.

He went on: “It’s why, when you open the way to Turkey becoming a member of the European Union that’s the start of a process that stretches over many years.”

Today’s deal would send “a very important signal right across the world”. He described today’s talks as “extremely difficult by immensely important”.