Ankara - Turkish European Union Minister Egemen Bagis has said Turkey's EU membership would put an end to the feelings of hatred and racism which lay beneath last week's violent attacks in Norway.
Speaking to AA, Bagis said as much as the attacks in Norway had shown the importance of the fight against terrorism, they had also exposed the escalating racism and xenophobia in Europe.
"The seeds of hatred and racism that have triggered these attacks can be destroyed by Turkey's EU membership ... EU cannot ignore its responsibility by solely condemning the attacks or releasing messages of sorrow. Aside from condemning the concept of terrorism, the union and all member states should deeply and loudly reject the motives behind terrorism as well," the minister noted.
Describing EU as an institution of peace, tolerance and dialogue, Bagis also said the union would miss its chance for peace without Turkey's membership.
At least 76 people died and many others were wounded in last week's double attacks in Norway's capital Oslo and the nearby island of Utoya.
Anders Behring Breivik, a 32-year-old far-right extremist, is the main suspect of last Friday's car bomb explosion in Oslo as well as the following bloody raid against a political youth camp in Utoya, a holiday island close to the Norwegian capital.
