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European Report
December 15, 2004
EU/TURKEY: CONSENSUS COMING TOGETHER ON ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS IN
THE SECOND HALF OF 2005
EU Foreign Ministers remained divided on a date for launching
accession talks with Turkey at the conclusion of their meeting in
Brussels on December 13. The issue will have to be settled by Heads
of State and Government at European Summit on December 16 and 17. A
date in October 2005 is mentioned most often by diplomats and appears
to be supported by a significant majority of Member States. However,
persistent differences on other items point to furious bargaining
behind the scenes in the run-up to the European Council. Firm
supporters of Turkey's accession such as Germany and the United
Kingdom, lukewarm supporter France and detractors such as Austria
continue to lock horns. Austria in particular wants open-ended
negotiations with no guarantee of Turkish membership at the end of
the line.
Date for negotiations.
A significant majority of Member States, including Germany and the
United Kingdom, support the opening of negotiations in "autumn 2005
and most probably October 2005". France in particular is keen to
avoid the Turkish issue interfering with the referendum on the
European Constitution, scheduled for spring 2005, concerned lest it
lend weight to the arguments of those campaigning for its rejection.
Whereas the Dutch Presidency of the EU and Turkey are pressing for
negotiations to begin in the first half of 2005, France is keen that
talks should not begin before July 2005.
Objective of the negotiations.
In order to reassure the general public and political circles, France
has called for the conclusions of the European Summit on December 17
to state that this is an "open and transparent process". This formula
would leave the door open to an alternative "structure for
co-operation between the EU and Turkey" instead of EU membership
should the negotiations break down. The French Minister Michel
Barnier nevertheless declined to suggest what form this option might
take, choosing not to mention the "privileged partnership" defended
notably by Germany's CDU Conservatives. President Jacques Chirac has
indeed already promised the French people that they will be consulted
at the appropriate juncture through a referendum on Turkish
accession. Besides public opinion which, according to a poll
published on December 13 by the daily Le Figaro, is 67% against
Turkish accession, France's politicians are also opposed, notably
within the ruling right, which is divided on the issue up to the very
highest level.
Dutch Foreign Minister and acting Council President Bernard Bot
insisted there can never be a "Plan B" for Turkey whilst
acknowledging that the negotiating process remains open.
Other Member States like Austria and Denmark would prefer to offer
Ankara a "privileged partnership or special status" instead of full
accession. However, this option does not appear to be shared by the
other Member States. Berlin which firmly supports Turkey's candidacy,
believes the opening of negotiations is in the interest of both
Turkey and the Union. "We are not deciding today on Turkey's entry
into the EU, which might take at least 15 years", said Joschka
Fischer. He believes negotiations should have but one goal: full
membership in the EU. He warns that "weakening this objective in
whatever way might strike a fatal blow to the process of
modernisation and reforms that has been so beneficial to Turkey".
Cypriot question.
During the debate, Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou called for
a gesture from Turkey before the March 2005 European Summit on the
"normalisation" of relations with the Republic of Cyprus, which
Ankara still doesn't recognise. Mr Iacovou suggested this
normalisation might stem from the extension by the Turkish Government
of the EU/Turkey customs union agreement of 1996 to the 10 new Member
States. Such a measure would de facto represent a first step towards
recognition of the Cypriot Republic by Ankara. Mr Bot, echoed by Mr
Barnier, suggested the normalisation of relations between Turkey and
Cyprus is not "a legal pre-requisite for the launch of negotiations
with Ankara". However, he added that it is "necessary and logical" if
Turkey wishes to join the Union. "I am negotiating with Ankara and
Nicosia and I remain optimistic as to the outcome of these
discussions", said Mr Bot. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan meanwhile repeated during a visit to Brussels on December 10,
that Turkey's recognition of Cyprus is not one of the so-called
Copenhagen criteria.
Armenian genocide.
At France's behest, the issue of the Armenian genocide was once again
raised. Mr Barnier indicated that France will request in the course
of accession negotiations with Ankara that the issue of "recognition
of the Armenian tragedy" be raised. He suggested that since the
European project is built on the notion of reconciliation with others
and with one's own past "Turkey must make this gesture". This demand,
which Mr Bot claims is not covered by the Copenhagen criteria, has
thus far been given short shrift by Turkey which rejects the claim
that the death toll among Armenians in 1915 amounts to a "genocide".
Parliamentary debates.
The European Parliament is meanwhile expected to vote by a clear
majority at its plenary session on December 15 to adopt the report by
Camiel Eurlings (EPP, Netherlands) on Turkey's accession, even though
a debate on December 13 confirmed the national differences reflected
in European public opinion. Subject to some 80 amendments, the
European Parliament should adopt a non-binding opinion, the final
decision resting with the December 17 European Council. Echoing the
Commission's recommendations of October 6, the Eurlings report
proposes opening negotiations without undue delay, whilst listing a
series of conditions that must be met by Turkey, notably recognition
of the Republic of Cyprus and zero tolerance of torture. Whilst
referring to an "open process", the report does not go so far as to
envisage an alternative to accession. Mr Eurlings is supported within
the EPP by Spanish, Italian and British members, but has been
criticised by the Germans (CDU) and French (UMP). This is not however
likely to sway the outcome since he also enjoys the support of the
Socialists and the Greens.
December 15, 2004
EU/TURKEY: CONSENSUS COMING TOGETHER ON ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS IN
THE SECOND HALF OF 2005
EU Foreign Ministers remained divided on a date for launching
accession talks with Turkey at the conclusion of their meeting in
Brussels on December 13. The issue will have to be settled by Heads
of State and Government at European Summit on December 16 and 17. A
date in October 2005 is mentioned most often by diplomats and appears
to be supported by a significant majority of Member States. However,
persistent differences on other items point to furious bargaining
behind the scenes in the run-up to the European Council. Firm
supporters of Turkey's accession such as Germany and the United
Kingdom, lukewarm supporter France and detractors such as Austria
continue to lock horns. Austria in particular wants open-ended
negotiations with no guarantee of Turkish membership at the end of
the line.
Date for negotiations.
A significant majority of Member States, including Germany and the
United Kingdom, support the opening of negotiations in "autumn 2005
and most probably October 2005". France in particular is keen to
avoid the Turkish issue interfering with the referendum on the
European Constitution, scheduled for spring 2005, concerned lest it
lend weight to the arguments of those campaigning for its rejection.
Whereas the Dutch Presidency of the EU and Turkey are pressing for
negotiations to begin in the first half of 2005, France is keen that
talks should not begin before July 2005.
Objective of the negotiations.
In order to reassure the general public and political circles, France
has called for the conclusions of the European Summit on December 17
to state that this is an "open and transparent process". This formula
would leave the door open to an alternative "structure for
co-operation between the EU and Turkey" instead of EU membership
should the negotiations break down. The French Minister Michel
Barnier nevertheless declined to suggest what form this option might
take, choosing not to mention the "privileged partnership" defended
notably by Germany's CDU Conservatives. President Jacques Chirac has
indeed already promised the French people that they will be consulted
at the appropriate juncture through a referendum on Turkish
accession. Besides public opinion which, according to a poll
published on December 13 by the daily Le Figaro, is 67% against
Turkish accession, France's politicians are also opposed, notably
within the ruling right, which is divided on the issue up to the very
highest level.
Dutch Foreign Minister and acting Council President Bernard Bot
insisted there can never be a "Plan B" for Turkey whilst
acknowledging that the negotiating process remains open.
Other Member States like Austria and Denmark would prefer to offer
Ankara a "privileged partnership or special status" instead of full
accession. However, this option does not appear to be shared by the
other Member States. Berlin which firmly supports Turkey's candidacy,
believes the opening of negotiations is in the interest of both
Turkey and the Union. "We are not deciding today on Turkey's entry
into the EU, which might take at least 15 years", said Joschka
Fischer. He believes negotiations should have but one goal: full
membership in the EU. He warns that "weakening this objective in
whatever way might strike a fatal blow to the process of
modernisation and reforms that has been so beneficial to Turkey".
Cypriot question.
During the debate, Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou called for
a gesture from Turkey before the March 2005 European Summit on the
"normalisation" of relations with the Republic of Cyprus, which
Ankara still doesn't recognise. Mr Iacovou suggested this
normalisation might stem from the extension by the Turkish Government
of the EU/Turkey customs union agreement of 1996 to the 10 new Member
States. Such a measure would de facto represent a first step towards
recognition of the Cypriot Republic by Ankara. Mr Bot, echoed by Mr
Barnier, suggested the normalisation of relations between Turkey and
Cyprus is not "a legal pre-requisite for the launch of negotiations
with Ankara". However, he added that it is "necessary and logical" if
Turkey wishes to join the Union. "I am negotiating with Ankara and
Nicosia and I remain optimistic as to the outcome of these
discussions", said Mr Bot. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan meanwhile repeated during a visit to Brussels on December 10,
that Turkey's recognition of Cyprus is not one of the so-called
Copenhagen criteria.
Armenian genocide.
At France's behest, the issue of the Armenian genocide was once again
raised. Mr Barnier indicated that France will request in the course
of accession negotiations with Ankara that the issue of "recognition
of the Armenian tragedy" be raised. He suggested that since the
European project is built on the notion of reconciliation with others
and with one's own past "Turkey must make this gesture". This demand,
which Mr Bot claims is not covered by the Copenhagen criteria, has
thus far been given short shrift by Turkey which rejects the claim
that the death toll among Armenians in 1915 amounts to a "genocide".
Parliamentary debates.
The European Parliament is meanwhile expected to vote by a clear
majority at its plenary session on December 15 to adopt the report by
Camiel Eurlings (EPP, Netherlands) on Turkey's accession, even though
a debate on December 13 confirmed the national differences reflected
in European public opinion. Subject to some 80 amendments, the
European Parliament should adopt a non-binding opinion, the final
decision resting with the December 17 European Council. Echoing the
Commission's recommendations of October 6, the Eurlings report
proposes opening negotiations without undue delay, whilst listing a
series of conditions that must be met by Turkey, notably recognition
of the Republic of Cyprus and zero tolerance of torture. Whilst
referring to an "open process", the report does not go so far as to
envisage an alternative to accession. Mr Eurlings is supported within
the EPP by Spanish, Italian and British members, but has been
criticised by the Germans (CDU) and French (UMP). This is not however
likely to sway the outcome since he also enjoys the support of the
Socialists and the Greens.