EU LAWMAKERS TRY SOFLY, SOFLY APPROACH WITH TURKEY
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Oct 5 2007
Observers contacted in Brussels say members of the European Parliament
have changed their approach to Turkey preferring praise to the harsh
criticism of the past to try to encourage Ankara’s efforts to push
for more democratic reforms.
The 180 degrees change of tone came in a new parliamentary report
approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament
(EP) on Wednesday by 48 votes against 4 abstentions. The report came
two years after Turkey began its often obstructed membership talks
with the European Union.
"Every critical point is mentioned in the report but the language is
different to keep the dialogue with Turkey," said Dutch Christian
Democrat MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten, who compiled the report for the
assembly.
"We want to have solutions rather than judgement," she said.
In their last report a year ago, the deputies deplored the lack of
reform progress and in a resolution criticised Turkey’s rights record,
laws infringing freedom of speech and Ankara’s refusal to acknowledge
allegations of Armenian genocide.
This time there was no mention of the Armenian claims. The Armenian
lobby which tried to include the allegations failed while the motions
concerning changes in favor of Turkey were adopted.
Turkey categorically rejects Armenian claims that 1.5 million of
their kinsmen died in systematic deportations and killings during
1915-1918 as the Ottoman Empire was breaking up.
The word "genocide" was dropped from the non-binding report and
replaced by a call for "the Turkish and the Armenian government to
start a process of reconciliation for the present and the past …"
"It’s a good method," said European Commission expert Jean-Christophe
Filori.
"Turkey has just come out of a very difficult political crisis,
one in which it managed to reaffirm the respect for democracy. This
report strikes the right tone of encouragement," he said.
"Full membership target was emphasized in the motions for a resolution
regarding Turkey," said German Socialist member Vural Oger after
the voting.
"It could be better, but I think that this is fairly a good result.
Pontus claims, and Armenian allegations were rejected. Changes in
favor of two parties in Cyprus were made. The reform process in Turkey
was supported. Most importantly, the expression ‘full membership’
was included in the text," Oger stated.
Oomen-Ruijten said that the EU should keep open its dialogue with
Turkey as long as Turkey has a stable democracy.
This time the report had praise for the recent election process as
"a sign of strength of the Turkish democracy".
Observers say the fact that there were no objections to the report
show an overwhelming portion of the members of the committee share
the opinion of rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten.
Observers said even old foe South Cyprus appeared to have been
won over.
"It’s the first time there’s been a debate on Turkey without the
smell of brimstone," said Greek Cypriot MEP Marios Matsakis, after
debate on the report late Tuesday.
The Greek Cypriots, along with France and Austria, have been among
the toughest critics of Turkey’s quest to join the European bloc and
has been locked in a trade dispute with Ankara that has damaged its
membership progress.
Oomen-Ruijten noted that the resolution will be voted at the EP plenary
session on October 24, and expected a good outcome from that session.
The motions adopted in the meeting welcomes Turkish government’s
commitment to the reform process, and encourages the government’s
initiative to prepare a new constitution.
The text calls on EU member states to open negotiations with Turkey in
energy as soon as technical preparations are completed, and underscores
Turkey’s importance as a transit country in diversifying natural gas
supplies for the EU.
The resolution regrets women rights violations, and expresses concern
over honor killings.
The resolution also asks Turkish government and all political groups
in Iraq to "fight against terrorism and to boost cooperation in
combatting terrorism".
It calls on the parties in Cyprus to "approach constructively" to
the UN settlement process.
Turkey and Croatia were officially made candidates to join the EU two
years ago, but Croatia’s progress has far outstripped that of Turkey.
Ankara has been given no guarantee that it will be allowed to enter the
club when the membership negotiations end, at least a decade from now.
Observers also say it will be interesting to see whether the European
Commission will follow suit in its key annual on November 6.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress