Zaman, Turkey
March 13 2005
Armenian Claims are not EU Criteria
By Salih Boztas
Published: Sunday 13, 2005
zaman.com
Claims about the so-called Armenian genocide on the agenda in France
have raised questions about how it will affect Turkey’s European
Union (EU) ambitions. European Union Commission Turkey Representative
Hansjorg Kretschmer thinks that the Armenian issue will not become a
political criterion before Turkey. Giving a brief statement about the
political criteria, Kretschmer said, “With the December 17 decision,
it was accepted that Ankara had ‘sufficiently’ fulfilled the
political criteria. Of course, it cannot be said they were totally
fulfilled. Government officials also think in this way.”
Priorities according to Kretschmer: Some advice was given to the
goverment about 103 legal issues. Judicial reform should be made to
ensure harmony with the EU. Religious freedom of non-Muslim
minorities should be provided. The laws for foundations should be
reviewed. Women’s rights should be made a priority. Defects in the
implementation of freedom of expression and the Law of Association
should be immediately eliminated.