Poland launches task force to aid Turkey, Ukraine E.U. entry
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
June 17, 2005, Friday
Warsaw
European Union newcomer Poland has set up a special task force focused
on the future enlargement of the 25 member E.U. to include Turkey
and Ukraine, Polands Rzeczpospolita daily reported Friday.
“We will support Ankara,” Polands Deputy Foreign Minister Piotr
Switalski declared, adding it would be “very difficult to accept
Turkey and reject Ukraine.”
With Poland having played a pivotal role in the success of Ukraines
recent pro-democracy “Orange Revolution”, it is now viewed as the
principle advocate of Ukraines new pro-Western orientation and drive
for E.U. access.
While the E.U. has moved to forge closer ties with Ukraine, the idea
of the near 48-million strong states future entry to the bloc remains
a divisive issue with older members such as France and Germany voicing
little enthusiasm.
Analysts note that the recent failure of public referendums on the
bloc’s first-ever constitution in France and The Netherlands were
to some degree also protests against the bloc’s further eastward
enlargement.
A Polish foreign ministry official quoted by Rzeczpospolita admitted
that despite Polands continued support for Turkey’s E.U. bid,
relations with Ankara soured after the Polish parliament passed
a resolution honouring some 1.2-1.5 million ethnic Armenians who
perished in 1915-23 under Ottoman Turk rule as victims of genocide.
Turkey has repeatedly denied the deaths constitute crimes against
humanity and vehemently criticised Poland and other European states
that passed similar resolutions.
It also insists the events are being used as a black mark against its
bid for E.U. entry. Ankara is to begin membership negotiations with
the bloc in October. E.U. officials, however, warn accession talks
for the near 70 million-strong country could last well over a decade.
Poland with its population of nearly 39 million was the largest of 10
mostly ex-communist states that joined the E.U. in May 2004. Bulgaria
and Romania are next in line for membership in a second round of
eastward enlargement in 2007. dpa sib pmc