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EU AND TURKEY IN 'VICIOUS CIRCLE,' EUROPEAN EXPERTS SAY
ArmInfo
2009-09-08 18:29:00
ArmInfo. European leaders must treat Turkey as any other EU candidate
and stop suggesting alternatives to full membership, while Ankara
for its part needs to re-engage in a democratic reform process,
a panel of European experts has recommended, EUobserver reported.
The EU's relationship with Turkey has turned into a 'vicious circle',
with growing distrust on both sides, the Independent Commission on
Turkey, a panel of experts chaired by Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti
Ahtisaari warns in a report issued Monday (7 September).
"Continued negative comments by European political leaders, combined
with growing public hesitation about further EU enlargement, have
deepened resentment in Turkey and slowed the necessary reforms,"
the document reads.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has publicly questioned Turkey's
right to become an EU member, pointing to its geography, which
stretches from southeastern Europe to Asia Minor. The question of 70
million Muslims set to become EU citizens is also frequently invoked
by opponents to Turkish membership in countries such as Austria,
Germany or the Netherlands.
"European governments must honour their commitments and treat Turkey
with fairness and the respect it deserves. On its side, Turkey has to
re-engage in a dynamic, broad- based reform process, thus confirming
that it is willing and serious in its ambition to join the EU,"
the report recommends.
The experts warn against the use of alternative scenarios such as the
'privileged partnership' invoked in German circles and urge the EU
to stick to the declared "common goal" of accession negotiations -
EU membership.
"To breathe new life into the negotiations, the EU must simply follow
through on previous commitments to keep the path to membership open. No
new promises are needed," Mr Ahtisaari said.
On the other hand, Ankara also needs to keep its promises on the
reform side.
"Two years without elections now lie ahead, and all sides must
act now to prevent the country's convergence with the EU from
stalling. Comprehensive, consistent and sustained progress towards
more democracy at home is the best way to persuade more Europeans of
Turkey's EU compatibility," the report reads.
One major opportunity for progress in the EU-Turkey negotiations will
emerge later this month, as a new round of peace talks on the divided
island of Cyprus resume. Ankara is the only capital to recognise the
north of Cyprus as an independent country, while the Greek south is
an EU member.
"Turkey's progress towards joining the European Union would get a major
boost from resolving the division of Cyprus," said Mr Ahtisaari. "The
seductive idea that the status quo can go on forever is a delusion. The
cost of inaction this time around is too high."
Speaking in Stockholm after the meeting with EU foreign ministers on
Saturday, Turkish top diplomat Ahmet Davutoglu looked confident of
his country's future membership.
"We have full confidence that our French, British and other
colleagues will keep their commitment," he said. "There is no need
for convincing. It is already certain that Turkey and the European
Union will integrate in the future," experts say.
ArmInfo
2009-09-08 18:29:00
ArmInfo. European leaders must treat Turkey as any other EU candidate
and stop suggesting alternatives to full membership, while Ankara
for its part needs to re-engage in a democratic reform process,
a panel of European experts has recommended, EUobserver reported.
The EU's relationship with Turkey has turned into a 'vicious circle',
with growing distrust on both sides, the Independent Commission on
Turkey, a panel of experts chaired by Nobel Peace Prize winner Martti
Ahtisaari warns in a report issued Monday (7 September).
"Continued negative comments by European political leaders, combined
with growing public hesitation about further EU enlargement, have
deepened resentment in Turkey and slowed the necessary reforms,"
the document reads.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has publicly questioned Turkey's
right to become an EU member, pointing to its geography, which
stretches from southeastern Europe to Asia Minor. The question of 70
million Muslims set to become EU citizens is also frequently invoked
by opponents to Turkish membership in countries such as Austria,
Germany or the Netherlands.
"European governments must honour their commitments and treat Turkey
with fairness and the respect it deserves. On its side, Turkey has to
re-engage in a dynamic, broad- based reform process, thus confirming
that it is willing and serious in its ambition to join the EU,"
the report recommends.
The experts warn against the use of alternative scenarios such as the
'privileged partnership' invoked in German circles and urge the EU
to stick to the declared "common goal" of accession negotiations -
EU membership.
"To breathe new life into the negotiations, the EU must simply follow
through on previous commitments to keep the path to membership open. No
new promises are needed," Mr Ahtisaari said.
On the other hand, Ankara also needs to keep its promises on the
reform side.
"Two years without elections now lie ahead, and all sides must
act now to prevent the country's convergence with the EU from
stalling. Comprehensive, consistent and sustained progress towards
more democracy at home is the best way to persuade more Europeans of
Turkey's EU compatibility," the report reads.
One major opportunity for progress in the EU-Turkey negotiations will
emerge later this month, as a new round of peace talks on the divided
island of Cyprus resume. Ankara is the only capital to recognise the
north of Cyprus as an independent country, while the Greek south is
an EU member.
"Turkey's progress towards joining the European Union would get a major
boost from resolving the division of Cyprus," said Mr Ahtisaari. "The
seductive idea that the status quo can go on forever is a delusion. The
cost of inaction this time around is too high."
Speaking in Stockholm after the meeting with EU foreign ministers on
Saturday, Turkish top diplomat Ahmet Davutoglu looked confident of
his country's future membership.
"We have full confidence that our French, British and other
colleagues will keep their commitment," he said. "There is no need
for convincing. It is already certain that Turkey and the European
Union will integrate in the future," experts say.