German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder hailed Tuesday the European Union's decision to start membership negotiations with Turkey.

"With it the European Union honors a promise, which was given to Turkey more than forty years ago," said Schroeder, a staunch supporter of the move.

He said a Turkey, which shows Islam and European values coming together in harmony means an enormous increase in stability and security for Europe.

The European Union overcame stiff objections from Austria late Monday to finally launch membership talks with Turkey. The two sides formally started early Tuesday landmark talks that could lead Turkey to enter the 25-nation bloc in 10 to 15 years.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer welcomed the EU accord Monday as a "historic step", adding that the deal was "a great opportunity for the security interests of the whole region."

Source: Xinhua