EU ASSEMBLY BACKS TURKEY REPORT

EUPolitix.com, Belgium
Sept 27 2006

MEPs have approved a controversial report on Turkey – but dropped calls
for Ankara to formally recognise Armenian genocide as a condition of
EU entry.

In a vote in Strasbourg on Wednesday, the Eurlings report was adopted
by 429 votes in favour and 71 against. There were 125 abstentions.

Crucially, parliament dropped calls for Turkey to recognise Armenian
genocide before it can join the EU.

"The recognition of the Armenian genocide by Turkey is no longer
presented as precondition for EU accession," Green MEP and chair of
the EP Turkey delegation, Joost Lagendijk explained in a statement.

"This is a crucial point as it would have strengthened the hands of
those in Turkey opposed to reforms."

Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings expressed his delight that his report had
received the backing of his parliamentary colleagues.

But he said Turkey still needed to come to terms with its past.

"It is indispensable for a country on the road to membership to come
to terms with and recognize its past," his report reads.

Eurlings insists it was never intention to force Ankara to formally
recognise this chapter in its history.

"This amendment was added when my report was being debated in the
parliament’s foreign affairs committee, and it is an amendment I
regret" the Dutch MEP declared.

"And the amendment was actually proposed by the Socialist MEP Veronique
De Keyser. I think the Socialists need to get together to work out
what their line is on my report."

The report also stresses the need for progress on freedom of
expression, minority religion rights and also raises the Cyprus issue.

But Liberal MEP Andrew Duff argues that by backing the report, the
parliament has taken two steps forward and one step back.

"It is good news that MEPs have dropped their demand that Turkey
recognises Ottoman ‘genocide’ against the Armenians as a precondition
of accession," he said.

"It is a pity, however, that we have missed our chance to add value
to the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

The EU still needs to fulfil its commitment to ending the isolation
of the Turkish Cypriot community."

German right winger Elmar Brok warned that Turkish progress has
"ground to a halt" since negotiations with the EU opened last year.

"I am glad EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn now shares the
parliament’s concerns and sees progress in the same critical light,"
he said.

"The political accession criteria have to be accomplished at the
beginning of the negotiations – not at the end," he added.

On Tuesday Rehn told MEPs he is pressing Ankara for "a more resolute
reform process."