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Crushing Turkey's hopes for EU entry is a death sentence to reform

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  • Crushing Turkey's hopes for EU entry is a death sentence to reform

    The Daily Star

    Thursday, September 29, 2005

    Crushing Turkey's hopes for EU entry is a death sentence for its reform
    drive


    Editorial

    Although the European Parliament's resolution to add new conditions to
    Turkey's accession to the European Union will not affect the start of
    negotiations toward this end, the move was yet another example of Europe's
    deep reluctance to welcome Turkey into the union. It has been over 40 years
    since Turkey first applied to be a member of what was then the ECC, and
    during the course of a long and tedious journey toward membership, Turkey
    has patiently waited for a sign that the desired outcome is within reach.

    The Turkish government has now made it clear that its patience is running
    out. Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that Turkey will reject an
    offer of "privileged partnership" and will only participate in negotiations
    that are geared toward full membership. A failure on the part of the EU to
    offer membership will likely disrupt the process of engagement that Europe
    has maintained with Turkey in recent years.

    We have already seen the benefits of Europe's engagement with the Turkey. To
    get this far in the process, Turkey has made great strides in implementing a
    number of wide-ranging political reforms. The government has abolished state
    security courts, reformed the penal code, scrapped the death penalty and
    allowed Kurdish to be taught and spoken in schools. There is still much more
    that needs to be done in terms of political reform, improving human rights,
    protecting minorities, recognizing Cyprus and acknowledging the Armenian
    genocide. But keeping the process of negotiations alive will ensure that
    there is continued progress on these and other fronts.

    Breaking away from this process prematurely, however, would be a recipe for
    disaster. Without the goal of membership in view, there is little motivation
    for Turkey to continue on its current path.
    Turkey's accession could take as long as 10 years and it stands to reason
    that during the lengthy process of negotiation, there will be ample time for
    Turkey to make even greater advancements toward a democratic state. The
    start of membership talks should therefore be viewed as the beginning of a
    prolonged dialogue in which Europe has an opportunity to promote democracy
    in Turkey, and by extension, in the entire Middle East.

    http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&article_id=18872&amp ;categ_id=17#
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