MR OLLI REHN MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, RESPONSIBLE FOR ENLARGEMENT
European Union
Sept 26 2006
EU: "Reforms in Turkey – in the first place it is the interest of
the Turkish citizens" EP debate on Turkey (the Eurlings report)
Strasbourg, 26 September 2006
President, Honourable Members,
Let me first thank Mr Eurlings for his report which includes useful
elements for the assessment of Turkey’s progress towards accession. I
also thank the members of the AFET Committee for their contribution.
Turkey’s accession is a matter for constant debate. The momentum
for reform has slowed down in Turkey in the past year. I will come
back in a moment to the main reforms Turkey must address as a matter
of priority.
However, we should not lose sight of the progress accomplished in the
last decade, nor of our commitment towards Turkey. The goal of the
negotiations started on 3 October 2005 is full EU membership of Turkey,
and by its nature it is an open-ended process with no automatism.
This commitment stems from a solid understanding that integrating
Turkey to the EU is of mutual benefit. The EU needs, for its own
interest, a democratic, stable and increasingly prosperous Turkey.
Turkey’s strategic significance was once again illustrated by its
decision to take part in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.
Moreover, Turkey’s economic dynamism, its young population, and its
potential key role as an energy hub will benefit our future prosperity.
For these reasons, and because Turkey sufficiently respected the
political criteria, the European Council decided to open accession
negotiations a year ago. This decision was widely supported in this
Parliament. Progress in the negotiations, however, does not depend only
on progress in the technical talks, but first and foremost on the pace
of reforms on the ground related to the Copenhagen political criteria.
In the past twelve months, there has been a lack of progress in this
regard. The expectations have risen since Turkey became a negotiating
country on 3 October last year. It is therefore all the more important
that new initiatives are taken and that tangible progress is still
achieved before the Commission will present its report on 8 November.
Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of the reforms. Journalists,
authors, publishers and human-rights activists still face judiciary
proceedings for violations of article 301 of the penal code on the
vague grounds of "insulting Turkishness". In July, the final ruling
of the Court of Cassation in the case of Hrant Dink established
jurisprudence on the notorious article 301 that violates European
standards. Thus, despite the acquittal of novelist Elif Shafak last
week, the freedom of expression remains under threat. The judiciary
proceedings have a chilling effect and damage the important work
carried out by journalists, intellectuals and activists. I have
repeatedly expressed my concern of this, latest to Foreign Minister
Gul last week in New York. It is now high time that Turkey amends the
restrictive articles in the penal code and brings them into line with
the European Convention on Human Rights.
Freedom of expression is indeed a fundamental human right on which
any open society is based, and a foundation for modernisation, social
progress and solving conflicts between various social groups.
An open and constructive exchange of views is needed in Turkey,
including the most sensitive issues. This is necessary both for the
democratic process in Turkey and for facing tomorrow’s challenges,
as well as for Turkey’s reconciliation with its neighbours, including
Armenia. Reconciliation is a principle that is both the origin and
the outcome of the European integration project. I therefore urge
Turkey to continue to take concrete steps in this direction.
Freedom of religion is another area where tangible progress is
needed. The Law on Foundations, which is currently debated in the
Turkish Grand National Assembly, should address the shortcomings.
Restrictions applied to non-Muslim religious groups on property rights,
management of foundations and training of the clergy must be lifted.
There are also Muslim minorities that face discrimination. The Alevi, a
Muslim community of 15-20 million, face legal restrictions to establish
places of worship and receive no financial support from the state.
Turning to the Southeast, the spiral of violence undermines positive
developments witnessed since the emergency rule was lifted some years
ago. Terrorism is a common enemy: Turkey and the EU unequivocally
condemn the PKK, and I deeply deplore the loss of innocent lives in
the attacks that have taken place throughout the year.
However, a policy based merely on security considerations does not
suffice to address the problems of this region. The Southeast faces an
aggravated socio-economic situation, not only due to security threats,
but also due to high unemployment and poverty. Greater effort is also
needed to enhance cultural rights. We expect Turkey to soon adopt,
as it has previously announced, a comprehensive strategy targeting
all the needs of this region – economic, social and cultural needs.
Let me now turn to Turkey’s obligation to respect its commitments. We
expect Turkey to fully implement the Additional Protocol of the Ankara
Agreement, and adapt it to the accession of ten new Member States.
Turkey should remove obstacles to the free movement of goods, including
those on means of transport, which are in breach of the Association
Agreement. Hence, Turkey should open its ports to vessels under flag
of all Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus. As set out
in the Negotiating Framework, the progress in the negotiations also
depends on Turkey meeting its obligations. Let me once again reiterate
that Turkey’s obligations under the Ankara Protocol are not linked
to the ending of economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community.
The draft report rightly calls on the Council to make renewed efforts
to reach an agreement on the trade facilitation regulation concerning
the Northern part of Cyprus. The Commission fully supports the
efforts of the Finnish Presidency to overcome the stalemate on the
trade regulation, thus helping the Council and the EU member states
to live up to their commitments. It is also appropriate to underline
the continuation of the constructive commitment by Turkey in finding
a comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus question, acceptable to both
Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, based upon the principles the
EU was founded.
President, Honourable Members,
To conclude: it is our mutual interest that Turkey pursues its
democratic, societal and economic transformation with the goal of
joining the EU. If Turkey succeeds, with our consistent support, it
can become an ever sturdier bridge of civilisations, at a moment when
the relationship between Europe and Islam is the greatest challenge
of our time. Turkey is an important benchmark in this regard. It
matters for our own future.
While the Commission is prepared to support Turkey along the process,
it is ultimately up to Turkey to carry it forward. The extraordinary
parliamentary session convened last week (19 Sept) to accelerate
the adoption of the 9th reform package is a welcome step. Yet, a
more resolute reform process is needed for Turkey to progress on the
path to EU accession. In this process, we should remember that – as
Prime Minister Erdogan suggests – the Copenhagen political criteria
could actually be called the Ankara criteria, since they are there,
in the first place, for the sake of Turkish citizens, not merely to
please the EU.