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