EU NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY COULD FAVOUR SWISS

Swissinfo, Switzerland
Oct 4 2005

The launch of adhesion negotiations between the European Union and
Turkey could also help improve ties between Switzerland and Ankara
say specialists.

Following the official decision to proceed with talks, reactions have
generally been positive, including those of the sometimes critical
Swiss media.

Commercial and economic ties could be stimulated, while political
and cultural exchanges are expected to intensify. “What holds true
for Europe is also valid for Switzerland,” said the Swiss ambassador
to Turkey, Walter Gyger.

He added that if Turkey made efforts to get closer to Europe,
Switzerland would have try to work out its own relation with Ankara.

“The negotiation process with the EU should help relieve some
tensions,” he noted.

Switzerland and Turkey have had a rocky diplomatic relationship for
the past few years, especially over issues related to the deaths of
thousands of Armenians under Turkish rule in 1915.

Officially, the Swiss foreign ministry has only noted the beginning
of talks. “As we are not a member of the EU, Switzerland has no reason
to comment this decision,” said ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel.

Bilateral relations between Bern and Ankara are not affected by the
EU talks or a possible Turkish adhesion for the time being. “Our
accords remain unchanged for now,” added Knuchel.

Business benefits

Turkey’s possible EU membership will only become officially an issue
in 2014, the earliest point at which it can join the Union. Some
bilateral accords between Switzerland and the EU, especially those
on security and asylum, as well as the free movement of labour will
come under scrutiny.

Knuchel said that the labour agreement had clauses guaranteeing
long transition periods as well as the possibility of putting its
application to a nationwide vote.

“The biggest challenge for Switzerland and Turkey during the
negotiation process will be to ensure that both countries give enough
attention to their bilateral relationship,” added the spokesman.

“Ankara will be focusing on Brussels in the coming years.”

Knuchel admitted though that the opening of talks could positively
influence commercial and economic relations with Turkey.

The Swiss Business Federation, economiesuisse, said on Tuesday it
expects some favourable fallout during the negotiations for the Swiss
export industry. “Turkey joining the EU would be in our interest,”
said federation spokesman Pascal Gentinetta.

Critical media

The Swiss press generally welcomed the announcement of adhesion talks
on Tuesday, although there was some criticism between the lines.

“After decades of waiting, these negotiations are the right decision,”
wrote Zurich’s “Neue Zurcher Zeitung.”

Its crosstown rival, the “Tages Anzeiger” criticised Union member
states for dragging their foot before accepting to open talks. “It was
grotesque and painful theatre with the EU in the main role,” it said.

It pointed the finger at Austria especially, adding that Vienna had
“held up proceedings until it got the all clear for adhesion talks
with Croatia.”

Geneva’s “Le Temps” also criticised the Austrians’ tactics, saying
that the government’s fear of rampant anti-Turkish sentiment at home
“had almost been enough to make chancellor [Wolfgang] Schussel think
twice before agreeing.”

The “Aargauer Zeitung” pointed out that the “hesitations surrounding
the decision to open talks with Turkey were proof of how unsure the
EU was of itself at the moment.”

The Swiss press tended to agree though that negotiations with Turkey
would be a long and drawn-out affair, especially since “Europe lacked
any leaders with a vision” as Le Temps wrote.

“In Berlin, they’re still looking for a chancellor. And in Paris,
there are dozens of wannabe presidents.”