Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Nov 21 2008
Turkish foreign minister says economic crisis may affect EU accession
process
Ankara, 21 November: Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that the recent
economic crisis may delay the EU’s enlargement activities and that he
sees this as a risk.
Babacan was responding to questions and criticisms about the 2009
budget of his ministry before the Planning and Budget Commission of
the TBMM [Turkish Grand National Assembly].
Commenting on Turkey’s EU membership process, Babacan recalled that
accession talks started in October 2005 and that the screening [of
some chapters of the EU acquis] was conducted for one year.
The foreign minister noted that thus far eight chapters have been
opened and that two more chapters will be opened in December if there
are no unexpected adverse developments. He added that a decision taken
at the end of 2006 froze eight chapters until the resolution of the
Cyprus problem.
Babacan recalled that five other chapters have not been opened because
one EU member has insisted that these chapters not be negotiated at
this time with the argument that these chapters would lead Turkey to
full membership. He said: "In addition, chapters on issues such as
education, culture, and energy have not been opened because of the
political postures of some member states."
Babacan said that work is continuing on chapters for which opening
criteria have been provided, that two chapters were opened for
negotiation last June, and that he expects additional chapters to open
for negotiation during the term presidencies of the Czech Republic and
Sweden next year.
Screening reports not received
The minister said that, although the screening of approximately ten
chapters was completed in October 2006, his office has not yet
received the screening reports. He continued: "This is a situation
that none of the other candidate states have encountered in their EU
membership process. We are waiting to see if there will be criteria
for the opening of chapters. We hear that there are disagreements
among the member states and, in particular, there is a problem at the
level of the EU Council on this issue."
Noting that the recent economic crisis may distract the attention of
the EU from the enlargement process and that it may slow or put off
relevant work, Babacan said that he sees this as a risk.
‘Do not fully match’
Recalling that a "Draft National Programme" has been prepared, Babacan
said that the Office of the Prime Minister is about to complete its
work on this issue. He added that the draft will be published in the
Official Gazette as a Council of Ministers decree after it is signed
by the prime minister and all the ministers.
The minister said that the draft was delivered to the leaders of all
the political parties but that he has not received any opinions from
any opposition parties except one.
Babacan said that the programme was drafted based on the Accession
Partnership Document that was published in the official gazette of the
EU. He continued: "We looked at that document, but we did not draft a
national programme that matches this document 100 per cent. When you
put the Accession Partnership and the National Programme documents
next to each other, you will see that they do not fully match. We did
not think it was appropriate to take at this stage some of the steps
the EU expects or demands from us. Our strategy in the accession talks
is to move swiftly on the steps that can be of immediate benefit to
us. However, there are also steps that we find appropriate to postpone
for various reasons – on some issues steps that we can say we will
take three, five, ten, 12 years after we join as a member. We have
been discussing these within the framework of the negotiations."
Economic measures
CHP [Republican People’s Party] Deputy from Istanbul Sukru Elekdag
warned that "Barzani and Talabani will never allow their PKK
[Kurdistan Workers’ Party] card to go away" and that "they will play
this card against Turkey." Elekdag added that it wrong "to go begging
after Barzani" in order to ensure border security.
Stating that [Turkey] must instil in Barzani the fear that "he may be
harmed if he harms Turkey," Elekdag said that Turkey needs to develop
policies of deterrence against northern Iraq.
Pointing out that Turkey has influence over the economy of northern
Iraq, Elekdag said that priority must be given to economic measures
and that steps to apply military pressure may be undertaken if no
progress is made with economic measures.
Success of military operations
Foreign Minister and Chief EU Negotiator Ali Babacan said that today
everyone acknowledges the success of military operations in the war
against the terrorist organization PKK. He said: "The entire world has
praised the string of military operations that were conducted with the
precision of a brain surgery without hurting a single civilian."
The TBMM Planning and Budget Commission approved the 2009 budgets of
the Foreign Ministry and the EU Secretariat General.
Answering questions and critical remarks by deputies about the budget
of his ministry, Babacan commented on Turkey’s policies on issues
ranging from the EU and Cyprus to Iraq and Armenia.
Expressing disagreement with criticisms from opposition deputies to
the effect that concessions are being made on Cyprus, Babacan said:
"When we look at what has been done since the AKP [Justice and
Development Party] government took office, I cannot think of a single
example that we can call a ‘concession.’"
The minister said that today many countries understand much better the
justness of the position of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in this
matter. He added that today the positions taken by Turkey and the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are much more valued and
respected.
Babacan continued: "How long might the [Cyprus] talks last? Where
might they go? Might they lead to an agreement? It is too early to say
anything on this issue at this time, but we see that both [Cypriot]
leaders have acted with the desire to find a solution in the talks
thus far." Babacan added that Cyprus is a national cause, that [the
government] has not made any concessions on it until now and that it
will not make any in the future.
Iraq
Noting that Iraq is Turkey’s neighbour and that [the government] wants
to develop relations with that country in every sphere, Babacan said:
"We see the Iraqi people as our brothers regardless of their ethnic
background, religion, or sect, and we formulate our policies
accordingly. Economic sanctions were mentioned. We thought much about
this, but in our policies related to Iraq we are determined not to
take any steps that would harm the daily life of the people there or
that would cause them hardships. There were many exhortations to this
effect – such as changing the procedures at border crossings or
cutting the electricity supply. Indeed, there were even newspaper
headlines suggesting that ‘aircraft fly over their houses to break
some windows.’ We do not have any disputes with the Iraqi people. We
want the Iraqi people to be happier and more prosperous. If our
problem is with certain personalities in the Iraqi government, then
we have to deal with them and to press them. That is where we must
seek solutions. The steps we have taken with respect to the terrorist
organization PKK, our diplomatic initiatives, the dialogue processes
we have initiated with numerous countries – these were steps that
were aimed at the terrorist organization and the sources that provide
financial and political support to it. Today, everyone concedes the
success of the military operations in this war. The entire world has
praised the string of military operations that were conducted with
the precision of a brain surgery without hurting a single
civilian. Military instruments are important in the war against
terrorism, but they are not sufficient on their own. We have pursued
policies aimed at isolating the terrorist organization. Thanks to our
initiatives, not a single country issued a single negative statement
with regard to our military operations."
Relations with north Iraq
Babacan acknowledged that there are continuing problems with the local
administration in northern Iraq. He said: "No doubt, we are extremely
perturbed by their statements of empathy with the terrorist
organization, their tacit support, and their facilitation of their
activities." He noted however that, over time, changes have begun to
be observed in the behaviour of the leaders of the local
administration in northern Iraq.
Babacan added that, as a result of these changes, the Turkish special
representative in Iraq began to have direct contact with the local
administration in northern Iraq.
Kirkuk problem
Underscoring that Turkey is working intensively on the Kirkuk issue,
Babacan said: "An injudicious local election would bring disaster to
Kirkuk with the current demographic structure of that city. Problems
that may surface in Kirkuk may spread to all of Iraq and this may have
extremely adverse consequences."
Armenia
Commenting on relations with Armenia, Babacan said that initiatives
related to that country must be viewed within the context of Turkey’s
policies with regard to the Caucasus region in general.
Explaining that work related to the proposal on a Caucasus Alliance is
continuing, Babacan said that regional problems will be discussed in a
platform comprised of Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and
Georgia.
Noting that there is continuing diplomatic traffic with Armenia,
Babacan said that he understands the concerns that have been expressed
with regard to this process and that his ministry will keep these in
mind.
Babacan disclosed that Armenia wants a certain level of secrecy in the
ongoing negotiations with regard to any steps that may be taken and
any associated details. He continued: "We believe that it is important
to establish lasting stability and peace in the Caucasus without
making any concessions from our national interests or our point of
view."
The foreign minister added: "The normalization of relations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan and between Turkey and Armenia are truly and
extremely important for the stability of our region. This is the goal
we have set. This is not an easy goal. There are problems that have a
history of many years. Nonetheless, there is a strong resolve in these
three countries."