NATIONAL INTEREST ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN POLICY

Macedonian Press Agency, Greece
Athens, 29 September 2005 (13:16 UTC+2)

Issues of national interest and the latest developments in Turkey’s EU
accession course will be discussed in detail in the National Council
on Foreign Policy that meets today under the presidency of Foreign
Minister Petros Molyviatis.

Yesterday, the European Parliament plenary session sent a strong
message to Turkey just a few days before the opening of Turkey’s EU
accession negotiations.

In a resolution adopted by the European Parliament it is mentioned
that a precondition for Turkey to become a member of the EU will be
to recognize the Armenian Genocide committed in 1915, while Turkey
is also called to recognize the Republic of Cyprus as soon as possible.

It is underlined that in case this does not happen, the consequences
on the negotiation process will be serious and could lead even to
its interruption.

It is stressed that the opening of negotiations will be the starting
point of a long process which by nature is open-ended and does not
lead in advance and automatically to accession.

A special reference is made to the serious and persistent violation
(in Turkey) of the principles of democracy, freedom, human rights,
fundamental freedoms, minority rights and the state of law.

Specifically, a reference is made to the problems in the freedom of
expression faced by author Orhan Pamuk. Regarding a very sensitive
issue for Greece, concern is being expressed for the operation of
religious minorities. The law on properties that belong to religious
institutions (=Vakoufia) is mentioned as a characteristic example.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee
postponed the vote for the expansion of Turkey’s customs union with
the European Union.

The postponement decision was reached by the European
Parliament plenary session after a proposal by the leader of the
Christian-Democrats according to which, Turkey is not committed that
it will not proceed with the signing of the statement on the non
recognition of Cyprus during the ratification of the Ankara Protocol
by the Turkish National Assembly.