'I am not against Turkey'

Conservative German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected and called Pope Benedict XVI, said that he was not against Turkey and praised Turks as a “respected nation.”In an interview with the Turkish Daily News prior to his election to replace the late John Paul II, Ratzinger said Turkey was an important part of the European civilization, although it came from a different religious and cultural background.  “I love Istanbul and Turkey very much,” the conservative Ratzinger said. He added that Turkey has made important contributions to several European organizations and hoped that these contributions would continue. Ratzinger's election as the new pope raised worries in Turkey that the Vatican could emerge as an opponent to the Turkish EU membership bid, thus escalating skepticism on Turkey's entry within the European public. He has emphasized Europe's Christian roots and has publicly spoken out against Turkey's bid to join the EU. “He was Turkey's last choice,” said daily Radikal, while Milliyet's headline read: “Vatican criterion.” Another daily, Sabah, declared, “New pope is against Turkey.” In an interview in August, Ratzinger, who was heading the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith before his election as the pope, said Turkey should not attempt to join the EU because it is a predominantly Muslim country with Muslim roots. “In the course of history, Turkey has always represented a different continent, in permanent contrast to Europe,” Ratzinger said, noting that the Ottoman Empire once threatened Vienna and fought wars in the Balkans. “Making the two continents identical would be a mistake.” He advised Turkey instead to “set up a cultural continent with neighboring Arab countries and become the leading figure of a culture with its own identity.” Asked to comment if his remarks meant he was against Turkey, Ratzinger told the Turkish Daily News: "I love Turks. I am not against them." During the funeral ceremony for Pope John Paul II, Ratzinger warmly welcomed the delegation from Turkey to Rome. Ratzinger visited Istanbul-based Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartolomeos and Turkish Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II at the hotel in which they were staying. �