EU: Concentrate on Implementation from Now on

Zaman, Turkey
May 15 2004

A document that outlines the European Union’s (EU) position for
next week’s Partnership Council meeting calls on Turkey to focus on
implementing its reforms.

Zaman acquired the document that states the stance of Europe for
the 43rd Partnership Council between Turkey and the E.U. that will
be held on May 18. The document points out serious interruptions
in the implementation phase of the reforms even though it expresses
pleasures about the reform process. “Implementations have a drawback,”
states the document as it acknowledges the progress Turkey has made
in many areas; however, first steps in harmonizing with the acquis
communitaire have yet to be taken.

Some of the positive points the document specifically mentions are
the abolishment of the State Security Courts, the removal of military
representatives from the Council of Higher Education, as well as the
latest Constitutional package that extends the freedom of the press.
The 19-page document emphasizes that ending the isolation of Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has already been determined;
however, Turkey is requested to end sanctions on Greek Cypriot ships.
The E.U. also devotes importance to improving the mutual relations
between Armenia and Turkey.

The meeting of the Partnership Council next Tuesday (May 18)
constitutes the most important juncture prior to the critical
progress report on Turkey that is expected to be released both at the
E.U. June summit and on September 29. The document states all E.U.
member countries have adopted the E.U. standpoint for the Partnership
Council, and it is unlikely to change.

“Thorough and effective implementation of the reforms is essential,”
states the document while heavily criticizing bureaucracy. It
points out in addition that despite the fact three schools have begun
education in Kurdish, significant difficulties in implementation still
remain. Local officials in some regions have not been satisfactorily
informed about the reforms.

While there are a few practical results of the reforms concerning
non-Muslims, Ankara is urged immediately to make a detailed law that
would solve several of these issues, especially non-Muslims’ rights
of property ownership.

The document states that ill treatment, torture, and other prohibitions
still go on in some prisons. It requests that the government increase
its efforts to punish those responsible for tortures.

The document also touches upon the profound disappointment about the
verdict handed down in the Leyla Zana case. It emphasizes that the
result violates the spirit of the reforms. It is also noted that the
case is already in the appeals phase.

05.15.2004 Selcuk Gultasli Brussels