15 December 2006
The Prime Minister has flown to Turkey ahead of a tour of the Middle East.
While in Ankarra, Mr Blair will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan to discuss Turkish entry into the European Union, as well as the issues surrounding the situation in the Middle East.
Speaking to journalists shortly before his departure, Mr Blair said that Turkish membership of the EU is important not just in relation to Turkey, but to "wider relationships between the West and the Muslim world."
Mr Blair added that there was a "consensus" between the 25 European leaders that progress between Israel and Palestine is of "immense strategic importance for Europe."
He was flying direct to the Turkish capital today from a European Council summit in Brussels.
During the Brussels trip, Mr Blair also spoke about the conversation he had with police with regard to the ongoing inquiry regarding allegations over peerages.
Mr Blair said:
"This was a complaint that was made by the Scottish National Party against me personally in effect, and so it is not the slightest bit surprising or wrong that the police should come and want to talk to me.
"The fact is that particular issues of concern were not about honours given by me as Prime Minister or people for public service, on the contrary they were given by me, nominated by me as Party leader for Party service in the way that other Party leaders are entitled to do, and that is the basic distinction that lies at the heart of this."
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