As Erdogan visits Prague, Czech PM backs Turkey’s bid to join EU

The Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolanek, has told his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that he supports Ankara’s efforts to join the European Union. After a meeting between the two leaders in Prague, Mr Topolanek called for full membership of the EU for Turkey; he said any form of privileged partnership would not suffice. Mr Erdogan, who is in Prague for a two-day official visit, is also due to meet the Czech president, Vaclav Klaus; Mr Klaus also supports Turkey’s bid to join the EU.