Ruling party booklet on EU prefaces premier, lists Turkey’s "red lines"

Anatolia news agency
26 Jul 06

Ankara, 26 July: [Ruling] Justice and Development Party (AKP) Foreign
Relations Department prepared a booklet – "EU in 100 questions" –
aiming to introduce Turkey’s European Union (EU) adhesion process to
the society.

One hundred questions have been asked in the booklet as well as
the answers regarding the foundation of the EU, its history, motto,
decisions, consultative and jurisdictional bodies, enlargement process
and screening process as far as Turkey is concerned.

"Turkey’s unifying identity appears to be an important asset at a
time when efforts are underway to polarize the world in the axis of
civilizations and at a time when terrorism gradually became more
destructive and merciless," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan wrote in the preface of the booklet.

Erdogan also reaffirmed that Turkey’s EU perspective was always
"full membership".

In the booklet, Turkey’s red lines are listed such as:

-"Turkey cannot recognize Cyprus Greek Cypriot administration under
the name of Cyprus Republic. A political recognition is only possible
after a comprehensive and durable settlement.

-"Acknowledging ‘so-called Armenian genocide’ can never be a
pre-condition in the negotiation stage. No concessions will be made
from the Lausanne Treaty and (Turkey’s) territorial integrity.

-"It is out of question for Turkey to accept ‘Privileged Partnership
Status’ (offered by some European politicians). Screening process is
expected to be concluded at the end of this year.

"Agriculture and environment will be the two topics that will strain
most Turkey at the negotiation process," it was also underscored at
the booklet.