EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: TURKEY’S APPLICATION UNDER SCRUTINY

BRUSSELS, JULY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On Wednesday, July
12th, the European Parliament’s Committee for Foreign Affairs will vote
on a draft resolution on "Turkey’s progress toward accession," but not
until it considers some 343 amendments submitted to the report prepared
by Mr Camiel Eurlings (Conservative, the Netherlands), reported the
European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).

While Mr. Eurlings’ report made only vague references to Armenian
concerns, the amendments tackle key conserves comprehensively. Many
parliamentarians from the main political parties – including the
Conservative, Socialist, Liberal, and Communist – unanimously call
on Turkey to "withdraw without condition the blockade of Armenia" and
to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide as "a prerequisite to accession".

Further, many amendments urge the European Commission and Council to
include the Armenian Genocide as a perquisite in the Revised Accession
Partnership – the roadmap of the negotiation process.

"We hail the initiative of these Members of the European Parliament
whose amendments are going to embed these important issues within the
current negotiation process," stated Hilda Tchoboian, the chairperson
of the European Armenian Federation. "We invite their colleagues
from the Foreign Affairs committee to follow this path in adopting
these amendments."

Overall, the Eurlings report cites Turkey’s numerous breaches of
international law, including the invasion and subsequent occupation
of Cyprus, the Kurdish issue, as well as, the crackdown on minority
rights and freedom of speech.

The report underlines the total absence of progress in 2006. It also
points out that the negotiation process will not automatically lead
to accession, particularly if Turkey refuses to ratify the Ankara
protocol which extends the customs union to all member states,
including Cyprus. Finally, it rebukes the Council, which – according
to the report – harmed the credibility of the negotiations by refusing
the Austrian presidency’s proposal to consider political criteria
throughout the process.

"Twenty years ago, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on ‘a
political solution to the Armenian question’ the findings of which were
considered ‘insurmountable obstacles’ to Turkey’s accession. Twenty
years later, none of these issues has been resolved. Given these
circumstances, the continuation of the negotiations, without dealing
with the root concerns, is a political anomaly which must stop,"
commented Hilda Tchoboian.

"We urge the executive bodies of the European Union to regain their
credibility on these critical issues, by listening to public opinion
and advancing strong, non-negotiable demands with regard to Turkey,
most notably the acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide. Otherwise,
each step forward in the accession process of this denialist State
will mean a retreat for Europe, until its fundamental values completely
vanish," concluded the chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.