Orhan Pamuk in Sweden: Situation with EU and Turkey saddens me
Güncelleme Tarihi:
This year's Nobel Literature Prize award winner, Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk, has said in a press conference held in Sweden that the current situation involving the EU and Turkey is "saddening" to him.
Pamuk, who noted that Turkish membership in the EU would be beneficial to both sides, said "The membership process is one which is saddening me these days. Unfortunately, the excitement is gone in both Europe and Turkey. This saddens me." He went on "If Turkey were to join the EU, this would be a good thing for the EU. It would also be good for Turkish democracy, the economy, and the people of Turkey. It would be good for the entire world."
Pamuk is currently in Sweden to formally accept the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature, in a ceremony scheduled to take place December 10. When asked by reporters whether the award would make an economic difference in his life, Pamuk responded that it did in fact make a difference, but that there would be no difference in his life style. Pamuk also said "To receive this award is a great honor. It is perhaps one of the one or two best things in my life."