Turkish Forum

Tag: EU

  • EU tells Turkey: No ‘cruise control’ on accession

    EU tells Turkey: No ‘cruise control’ on accession

    Published: Monday 29 June 2009   

    As leading EU countries are advocating alternatives to full EU membership for Turkey, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week that Ankara should speed up reform instead of breeding unrealistic expectations during its accession process.

    “No one should be mistaken: There is no cruise control in the accession negotiations. Each step forward requires hard work and intense preparations by the candidates for EU membership,” Rehn said, speaking at forum held in Brussels on Friday (26 June).

    The enlargement commissioner acknowledged progress made by Turkey in the accession process, but stressed that no such advance was visible in the last six months. 

    He stressed the “pressing need” to reform the legal and constitutional framework governing the closure of political parties, as well of guaranteeing freedom of expression and the independence and pluralism of the media. 

    Recent reports by the European Commission and the Parliament have warned of a continuous slowdown in the reform process in Turkey (EurActiv 12/02/09). 

    But Erdogan rejected the view that his country had not made enough efforts to meet the accession criteria, considering instead that the EU maintained double standards vis-à-vis his country compared to other candidates. He called the situation “abnormal” and slammed anti-Turkish rhetoric during the European election debate. 

    “Some narrow-minded politicians used Turkey as election material [over the EU elections]. This is very wrong, very populist,” he said, speaking to the press through a translator. 

    Erdogan also strongly rejected hints of possible alternatives to his country’s EU membership (EurActiv 11/05/09). 

    “We cannot accept the positions France and Germany have taken,” Erdogan said, adding: “There is no such type of [privileged] partnership. Our goal is full membership.” 

    Hard line on Cyprus 

    In his speech, Rehn had called for drawing inspiration from the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, for another “historic opportunity” to end the division of Cyprus. 

    But the Turkish prime minister said that the EU view of a “2009 final rendez-vous” for completing the talks was “wrong”. He made it clear that his country did not accept blame for the stalemate in Cyprus, and called for a greater EU involvement in ongoing reunification talks, under the watch of Alexander Downer, the UN’s special advisor on Cyprus and a former Australian foreign minister. 

    Mild optimism on Nabucco 

    Erdogan said he was optimistic about a “signing ceremony” on the EU flagship pipeline project, intended to reduce the Union’s dependence on Russian gas, to be held in July. Recently Ankara signalled that it would help push Nabucco ahead of Russia’s rival ‘South Stream’ project (EurActiv 29/05/09). 

    However, he warned of certain question marks regarding the project, as several “serious steps” had not been taken and the gas committed was in his words insufficient – 15 billion cubic metres, less than half of the planned capacity of 31 bcm. He added that he hoped that during the July signing “at least a roadmap to begin construction” could be determined. 

  • Turkey to ‘never give up’ EU bid

    Turkey to ‘never give up’ EU bid

    tTurkey has urged France and Germany to back its bid to join the EU, rejecting calls for a special partnership rather than full membership.

    “We will never give up,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Brussels.

    Turkey’s EU accession talks are going at a glacial pace and risk suspension if Ankara fails to open its ports and airports to Cyprus this year.

    France and Germany want to give Turkey a “privileged partnership” with the EU.

    But Mr Erdogan insisted “our goal is full membership”.

    He also said it was “populist and wrong” to use Turkey’s bid as an election issue.

    Some right-wing parties opposed to Turkey’s bid made gains in the recent European Parliament elections.

    Slow progress

    The BBC’s Oana Lungescu says both opposition inside the EU and insufficient democratic reforms in Turkey are hampering its bid.

    Next week will see a small step forward, when Turkey is due to start talks on taxation, one of the 35 areas where it is negotiating EU entry terms.

    Turkish diplomats argue that their country is of strategic importance to Europe and that its eventual accession would send a positive signal to the whole Muslim world.

    So far, Turkey has opened talks on 10 out of the 35 “negotiation chapters” in the accession process, which started in October 2005.

    But eight chapters have been frozen because of Ankara’s refusal to open up its ports and airports to traffic from Cyprus, an EU member.

    Turkey says it will not do this until the EU takes steps to end the Turkish Cypriot community’s economic isolation.

    BBC

  • Turkey – not a bridge too far for EU

    Turkey – not a bridge too far for EU

    A Conservative government would promote continued European Union expansion to Turkey and the Balkans despite the party’s calls for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, George Osborne has revealed.

    Speaking at Keele University in Staffordshire, the shadow chancellor insisted that Turkey was a part of Europe as well as a being a bridge to Asia. Without the Lisbon Treaty being passed, no further EU enlargement can take place.

    But Osborne said: “We are passionate advocates of enlargement, we should continue with that agenda. One of the great successes of the EU was to bring countries into an alliance; it was a fantastic achievement.”

    The Tories would lobby the EU to return national control of employment and social laws. They would also propose a £1bn reduction in the supranational body’s budget and 25 per cent less regulation from Europe, said Osborne.

    “We need to get more for less out of the EU – it remains too introverted and too centralised, it does not communicate with citizens and the Lisbon Treaty is a step too far,” he added. “Europe has become disconnected from the people and we want to give citizens a voice in EU institutions.”

    The Labour Party’s European election manifesto focused on attacking alleged Tory cuts to public services. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “Labour has a clear plan for a prosperous British future and more than ever we need the jobs that depend on the EU.”

    Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg claimed that “Labour’s arrogance had messed up Britain’s relationship with other European countries” while the Conservatives were with UKIP in thinking that the UK could combat the recession, climate change, international crime and terrorism “on its own”.

    Public Service June 02, 2009

  • Top British diplomat reaffirms his country’s support to Turkey’s EU bid

    Top British diplomat reaffirms his country’s support to Turkey’s EU bid

    dISTANBUL – British Foreign Secretary David Miliband reaffirmed late Tuesday his country’s support for Turkey’s bid to join the EU, saying Ankara’s full membership would bring economic dynamism into the bloc, help solve its energy security problems and build closer ties between the West and the Muslim world.

    “Britain is more convinced than it has ever been that the strategic decision to support Turkey’s accession to the European Union is the right one,” Miliband, who is currently in Ankara on an official visit, told Reuters.

    “It is good for Europe as well as for Turkey,” he added.

    Turkey began EU membership negotiations in 2005, but progress has since largely ground to a halt because of strong opposition in some member countries like France, Germany and Austria, and disagreements over the divided island of Cyprus.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy earlier this month reiterated their opposition to Ankara joining the EU. The pair insisted that the 27-member bloc offer Turkey a “privileged partnership” instead, a move analysts described as an indicator of short-time calculations to achieve political advantage ahead of the European Parliament elections set for next month.

    Miliband said the bloc should adopt a more “open outlook” and embrace the long-term benefits of Turkey’s membership provided it meets all entry criteria.

    “Turkey is a particular place that would benefit Europe’s energy future. That would not have been given the priority and prominence it deserves five years ago,” he said.

    Opening the doors of the EU to Turkey would be a “significant bridge to the Islamic world”, Miliband said.

    “Turkey has a combination of a Muslim majority population and a proud democratic heritage. I think you can balance those things,” he added.

    REFORM
    Miliband, however, said Turkey needed to speed up its EU reforms. “Everyone wants to see Turkey making strides towards reforms,” he said.

    “But equally we want to see a European Union that has got the right orientation and outlook, an open EU, that is something we have to work on specially at a time of economic downturn.”

    “There have been significant changes if you look at the last 30 years. I think there is a new Turkey being built. I think that the direction is clear,” he said.

    Miliband said another strong selling point of Turkey’s EU entry is its vibrant market economy. Economic activity is seen contracting by five percent this year due to the effects of the global economic crisis, compared to average growth of 7 percent between 2002 and 2007. The economy is expected to expand in 2010.

    “Turkey will bring significant economic dynamism into the bloc. I think the debate of the Turkish economy will change in the next few years,” he said.

    Miliband, who arrived Tuesday in the Turkish capital of Ankara to hold talks focused on the country’s European Union membership bid, met with Turkey’s Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis.

    He met Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolgu on Wednesday, and is also scheduled to meet Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan later in the day.

    Hurriyet

  • Merkel and Sarkozy Call for Privileged Partnership Angers Turkey

    Merkel and Sarkozy Call for Privileged Partnership Angers Turkey

    Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 6 Issue: 92
    May 13, 2009
    By: Saban Kardas

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicholas Sarkozy reignited the debate on Turkey’s place within Europe by questioning the wisdom of Turkey seeking full membership of the European Union. Attending a meeting in Berlin, the two leaders emphasized their objection to the EU’s enlargement to include Turkey, arguing that any misguided expansion might endanger its operational effectiveness, and that it should stop making empty promises to Turkey. They instead reiterated their support for “privileged partnership” as an alternative framework to regulate Turkish-EU relations (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, May 10).

    Sarkozy is known for his frequent objections to Turkey’s membership. Before his election in 2007, he spoke against the country’s accession and instead proposed an alternative partnership through his Mediterranean Union project. Due to objections from Turkey and other EU member states most notably the UK, Sarkozy dropped the idea, which enabled the creation of the Mediterranean Union as a separate organization -which Turkey also joined (EDM, July 15, 2008).

    Although he has since softened his rhetoric and avoided blocking Turkish-EU accession negotiations during the French presidency of the European Union, Sarkozy has remained Turkey’s most vocal opponent. For instance, when President Obama tried to promote Turkish-EU accession talks during his recent European trip, Sarkozy immediately dismissed these comments as an unwarranted intervention in European affairs, and led other likeminded states to mobilize resistance against Turkey (Hurriyet, April 7).

    Merkel shares similar views on Turkish-EU relations. Nonetheless, her policies have been tempered by the coalition partnership with the Social Democrats, who hold more positive views on the issue. However, Merkel uses electoral considerations and her conservative grassroots’ discomfort with Turkey to justify her objections. Referring to the upcoming European elections in June, Merkel said: “It is right that we say to people [during the campaign]… our common position is: a privileged partnership for Turkey, but no full membership” (Hurriyet Daily News, May 11).

    Sarkozy does not hide the role electoral politics play in shaping his position on Turkey. Indeed, he has accelerated his objections to Turkish accession ahead of the European election campaign. He is advocating that the EU considers the creation of a common platform with Turkey, perhaps including Russia, to regulate economic and security relations (Hurriyet Daily News, May 6).

    Inside the EU, the Franco-German position is countered by the member states more sympathetic to Turkey and the representatives of the EU institutions. Portugal’s President Anibal Cavaco Silva, while currently visiting Turkey reiterated his country’s support for Turkish accession, noting the many benefits it would bring to the EU (Anadolu Ajansi, May 12). Last week, Finland’s Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, also ruled out a privileged partnership, and reaffirmed Helsinki’s commitment to bring Turkey into the EU as a full member (Cihan Haber Ajansi, May 8). A statement from the office of the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, responded swiftly to the statements by Sarkozy and Merkel, saying that the decisive factor from the commission’s perspective was Turkey’s fulfilment of the membership criteria (ANKA, May 11).

    Although Merkel and Sarkozy’s views on Turkey were well known, their recent statements surprised many within Turkish domestic politics. Some Turkish dailies labeled this development, particularly Merkel’s remarks, as “shocking” (Milliyet, May 11). Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition party, called their statements “rude, harsh and negative” and argued that since they were made during the ongoing membership talks, they should be taken as a sign of disrespect toward Turkey. Baykal also criticized the government’s failure to take action to protest more forcefully against this development (Anadolu Ajansi, May 12).

    In reacting to calls to downgrade the Turkish-EU relationship, officials in Ankara have highlighted three points. They have restated Turkey’s position that privileged partnership is unacceptable, and maintain that since the EU has initiated membership talks, it must honor this commitment. Shortly after assuming his post last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stressed this argument. Noting that he would revitalize the stalled membership process, Davutoglu expressed his discomfort over speculation on privileged partnership. Offering Turkey other alternatives short of full membership would betray Turkey and also undermine the EU’s own values, Davutoglu contended (Yeni Safak, May 9). In his reaction to the Merkel-Sarkozy statement, President Abdullah Gul also echoed Davutoglu, arguing that European leaders had agreed on membership negotiations with a unanimous decision, which still legally binds all member states (www.cnnturk.com, May 12).

    Turkish officials maintain that European politicians are using the debate about its future membership as a tool calculated to achieve domestic political gains. Gul suggested that the Merkel-Sarkozy remarks reflected “short-term thinking,” caused by a lack of strategic vision on the part of some European leaders (Cihan Haber Ajansi, May 12).

    Turkish leaders emphasize their commitment to the membership process, and say they will do more to conclude the negotiations successfully. Following a cabinet meeting, the state minister and government spokesman Cemil Cicek, told reporters that the government will take further steps to implement domestic reforms. This will involve preparing a new constitutional amendment package in consultation with the opposition. Cicek added that the government will shortly forward a draft law to parliament, which will reorganize the under-secretariat for the European Union in order to streamline reforms (www.cnnturk.com, May 12).

    The Turkish government seeks to counteract objections to membership by reminding the EU of its commitments to the accession process, and by downplaying those objections -attributing them to short-term calculations. The government implicitly believes that if the discussions on Turkey are conducted on the basis of the contractual framework of the accession process, it may de-legitimize European objections to Turkey. However, it fails to appreciate that its track record on domestic reforms is far from satisfactory. Despite promises to revitalize the membership process in 2009, little has been accomplished (EDM, January 12, 20). Although it might be justified in calling on its EU partners to fulfil their promises, the Turkish government must acknowledge that it is time to deliver on domestic reforms.

    https://jamestown.org/program/merkel-and-sarkozy-call-for-privileged-partnership-angers-turkey/

  • Poor Richard’s Report

    Poor Richard’s Report

    Turkey: EU Must Remove Obstacles To Membership — Official
    January 24, 2009Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Jan. 24 that several EU countries should stop blocking Turkey’s possible membership in the European Union, KUNA reported. Babacan said, “There are influential countries inside the EU who want to undermine Turkey’s membership.” Turkey has finalized only 10 of the 35 required chapters for EU accession. Eight accession chapters were suspended because Turkey refused to allow Greek Cypriot ships to enter Turkish ports.

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