MEPs set to greenlight Turkey report without genocide clause
27.09.2006 – 09:40 CET | By Lucia Kubosova

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The European Parliament is expected to approve a
critical report on Turkey and its progress on EU membership talks, but MEPs
have signalled they are prepared to drop the suggestion that Ankara must
recognize the Armenian genocide before it can join the bloc.

The plenary vote on Wednesday (27 September) on the report by Dutch
centre-right MEP Camiel Eurlings comes after weeks of heated discussions
topped by a final plenary debate in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Opening the parliamentary forum, Mr Eurlings said his report was "tough but
fair," reflecting the EU legislature’s regret about the slowing down of the
reform process in Turkey.

He highlighted three key areas where improvement is necessary – freedom of
expression, minority religion rights and the Cyprus issue.

EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn echoed the same concerns, urging
Ankara to undertake "a more resolute reform process" and noting that he is
"rather tired of repeating himself" on human rights issues.

"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’."

"It is now high time that Turkey amends the restrictive articles in the
penal code" and brings them into line with basic EU principles, noted Mr
Rehn, adding that the national leaders should pursue these reforms "for the
sake of Turkish citizens, not merely to please the EU."

He also suggested that the country needs an "open and constructive exchange
of views, also on "the most sensitive issues" – such as re-conciliation with
its neighbours, including Armenia.

The parliamentary report – as adopted in the foreign policy committee – was
particularly criticised in Turkey for its suggestion that Turkey should
recognize the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 as a pre-condition of its
EU membership.

However, both the centre-right and socialist debaters in the plenary hinted
on Tuesday that they would vote against this particular article to prevent
further controversy.

Cyprus deadlock
Concerning Turkey’s reluctance to open up its ports and airspace to Cypriot
ships and planes, both MEPs and commissioner Rehn noted that the EU’s
December deadline is fast approaching.

"The progress in the negotiations also depends on Turkey meeting its
obligations," said commissioner Rehn, adding that Ankara’s legally binding
duty to fulfill the customs union accord with the EU is not linked with the
bloc’s political commitment to end economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot
community on the divided island.

Still, he praised the Finnish EU presidency for its effort to break the
deadlock and prevent the suspension of Turkey’s negotiations at the end of
this year, stressing that it is in Europe’s own interest that the country
keep on its democratic path with the goal of joining the bloc.

"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."

The European Commission will publish its annual report on Turkey’s EU
progress on 8 November – it is expected to suggest in the report what the EU
should do if Ankara misses the deadline on Cyprus.