European Parliament says yes to beginning accession talks with Turkey but sets conditions

Athens News Agency
Dec 16 2004

The European Parliament’s Plenary Session on Wednesday approved the
Eurlings Report regarding Turkey’s progress towards EU accession,
with 407 voting for it, 262 against it, and 29 abstaining. Thus, the
European Parliament is in favor of beginning EU accession talks with
Turkey without unnecessary delay and says that Turkey must recognize
Cyprus. Aditionally, Eurodeputies have rejected the option of
establishing a ‘privileged partnership with the EU’.
Among the amendments approved and which are of interest to Greece is
amendment 59, which was proposed by the Socialist Eurodeputies. The
amendment calls on the council to realize its promises and to end the
Turkish Cypriot community’s isolation, and to quickly approve the two
regulations regarding financial aid and commercial relations with the
northern part of the island.

Another amendment proposed by Athanassios Pafilis and Diamanto
Manolakou from the United Left was rejected. Pafilis’ and Manolakou’s
suggestion was for the issue of the continental shelf in the Aegean
to be referred to the International Court in the event that it wasn’t
resolved otherwise.

Amendment 31, which requested that the Committee formulate a “road
map” with a timeframe regarding the implementation of the Copenhagen
criteria, with special emphasis given to: the recognition of Cyprus
and the withdrawal of Turkish occupational forces from the island;
progress in resolving problems related to the Kurds, guarantee of
human rights and fundamental civil liberties in theory and practice.

The voting was conducted by secret ballot, something that provoked
many reactions. “The ALDE [Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for
Europe] group is opposed to holding a secret vote on the Turkey
report. Parliamentary responsibility and political accountability
require MEPs to take positions openly. We reject the coward’s option”
ALDE leader Graham Watson said.

“Our view is that fundamental decisions must be clear, open and
transparent so that voters know what their elected representatives
are doing on their behalf,” Socialist Group leader Martin Schulz
said.

The United Left asked European Parliament President Josep Borrell for
the issue of the secret vote to be voted upon. Borrell said that he
had examined the issue with the Parliament’s legal department and had
concluded that the secret vote was legal.

ND Eurodeputy comments on outcome

“The message that the European Parliament has sent to Turkey by
adopting the report of Camiel Eurlings, Dutch Eurodeputy of the
European People’s Party, is multidimensional and at the same time
crystal clear,” head of New Democracy Eurodeputies Ioannis
Varvitsiotis said.

“Turkey has to realize that it has to fulfill all that is outlined in
the Eurlings report,” Varvitsiotis stressed. “That includes
continuation of reforms, recognition of the Republic of Cyprus,
immediate re-opening of the Theological School of Halki, public use
of the ecclesiastical title Ecumenical Patriarchate and protection of
the basic rights of all Christian minorities and communities in
Turkey, such as the Greeks of Istanbul, Imvros and Tenedos,” he
added.

Furthermore, the European Parliament has also asked that Turkey
recognize the Armenian genocide and to protect Kurds’ rights.