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Athens: EU Parl. Majority Accepts Proposal on Turkey's Access Negot.

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  • Athens: EU Parl. Majority Accepts Proposal on Turkey's Access Negot.

    Athens News Agency, Greece
    Oct 7 2004

    EU Parliament majority accepts Commission proposal on Turkey's
    accession negotiations

    The majority of the political parties participating in the EU
    Parliament responded positively to the European Commission's proposal
    regarding the beginning of EU accession negotiations for Turkey
    during a parliamentary session held here on Wednesday.

    Head of the European People's Party (EPP) Hans-Gert Petering said
    that the EPP - although there are divergent opinions within the party
    - agrees that if Turkey becomes an EU member then it will be
    different in terms of geography and living standards than what it is
    today. The EPP recognises the efforts Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip
    Erdogan has made to date, but emphasised that much still needs to be
    done. He also criticised the EU's Commissioner for Enlargement
    Guenter Verheugen for recently saying that torture is not carried out
    in Turkey on a regular basis.

    Petering said that members of the EPP insist that if negotiations
    begin the result must be open-ended: either full accession or no
    accession, adding that it would be good to include the possibility of
    establishing a privileged alliance with Turkey. Additionally, even if
    Turkey does not become an EU member, this would be no excuse for the
    halting of democratic reforms, he said.

    Martin Schultz, head of the Socialist Group is also in favour of
    negotiations for Turkey's EU membership to begin, pointing out that
    this does not necessarily guarantee accession. He said that if a
    Muslim community could consider the European Union their union, then
    the foundations for peace in the 21st century will be set.

    Schultz also emphasised that progress checks surrounding the
    criteria Turkey must meet should be conducted frequently, and said
    that if reforms were not proceeding smoothly then negotiations should
    be suspended.

    Head of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats Graham Watson said
    that the majority of his party approved of the European Commission's
    proposal for negotiations to begin, but there are many who doubt
    Turkey. He added that a conflict of culture must be avoided but also
    noted that Turkey must make some dramatic changes (ie., human rights,
    respect for the rule of law, opening up of the economy). He stressed
    that the beginning of negotiations does not necessarily mean a happy
    ending. Watson also emphasised that the EU must treat Turkey in the
    same way as any other country-candidate, but that protection of human
    rights in the country must be closely monitored.

    Daniel-Kohn Bendit, head of the Group of the Greens, was more
    positive, supporting the beginning of negotiations, without placing
    emphasis on the possibility of a failed accession attempt.

    Francis Wurtz of the European United Left was also supportive of
    Turkey's European potential, saying that Turkey's EU accession could
    serve as a bridge between the West and the Middle East, contributing
    to establishing peace in a region plagued by "war and chaos". He also
    said that using Turkey as a scapegoat would be a mistake, but
    acknowledged that there are a series of issues Turkey must resolve.
    These include certain clauses of the new penal code, which according
    to Wurtz, pose a threat to freedom of expression; the Turkish
    occupation forces in Cyprus and the Turkish authorities' refusal to
    recognize the Armenian genocide.

    Jens Peter Bonde of the Independence/Democracy Group opposed
    Turkey's EU prospects, stressing that Turkey's values are not in line
    with those of the EU. Instead, he suggested that in 2009 - and once
    the EU constitution is in place - the EU can establish an open and
    flexible cooperation with Turkey.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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