Hurriyetim, Turkey
11:05 CET, 29.09.2005
European Parliament puts Armenian genocide resolution in front of
Turkey
With just a short while to go before the start of the October 3 EU
accession talks for Turkey, the European Parliament has voted on two
decisions which may bring Ankara-Brussels relations to the point of
crisis. Following a vote to postpone Customs Union protocol between
Turkey and the EU, the European Parliament put forth a non-binding
measure proposing that Turkish recognition of the Armenian genocide be
made a requirement before EU membership.
Discussions yesterday in the European Parliament also brought forth a
call for Turkey to recognize the Greek Cypriot authority as soon as
possible.
Following votes cast by 356, with 181 voting against, the European
Parliament confirmed resolutions that Turkey should get on the fast
track to normalizing relations with southern Cyprus, including the
withdrawal of its soldiers from the area. The vote also recommended an
immediate change in the Turkish legal system as it relates to “freedom
of expression,” with a pointed reference to the recent case opened up
against Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk.
As for the resolution on the Armenian genocide, it was the fifth
resolution in favor of the Armenians taken by the European Parliament
since 1987.