new place in Islamic world, Europe Istanbul, Dec 19, SPA -- The European Union's decision toextend membership talks with Turkey contributes to theMuslim country's stability and gives it a new position inEurope and the Islamic world, Foreign Minster Abdullah Gulsaid Sunday. The bloc on Friday agreed to start the membership talkswith Turkey in October, but imposed tough conditions onTurkish membership, such as recognizing Cyprus before thetalks open in October. "Turkey is a very different country than two days ago,"Gul told supporters in Ankara. "We sense this insideTurkey. You see this when we're together with all ourneighbors. You see this in Europe. In all the Muslimcountries, in Arab countries, in the Caucasus, Turkey'sposition has changed." The EU made its decision despite widespread publicmisgivings in Europe about welcoming a poor and crowdedMuslim nation into the bloc. "The important issue is that Turkey's direction hasbecome definite. Turkey has entered a period of permanentstability," Gul said. --more 1444 Local Time 1144 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/226062