We are deeply saddened to learn that Baroness Thatcher has passed away. She has many great, inspiring quotes but here is a special one on Turkey and UK, from her visit to Ankara in 1988: “… We well understand that you see Turkey’s application for full membership of the European Community as a further step in your progress—in Ataturk’s words—”in the direction of the West” as part of the momentum of your history. The Commission of the European Communities are now preparing their opinion—which is the normal procedure—and that will become the basis for the Community’s collective decision; I cannot predict what that will be but I can assure you that in any event Britain will continue to give full weight to the long history of our relations with Turkey through our many common interests and the fact that we are already partners in so many common endeavours, a partnership that we wish to sustain and indeed to strengthen.”

Full text of the speech can be found here.