EUROPEAN POLICYMAKERS TO RELEASE A REPORT "TURKEY IN EUROPE: BREAKING THE VICIOUS CIRCLE"
PanARMENIAN.Net
08.09.2009 01:31 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A group of distinguished European policymakers have
pointed to both domestic circles aiming to topple the government and
certain European Union member nations that object to Turkey’s full EU
membership as being responsible for a "vicious circle" in relations
between the EU and EU-candidate Turkey, TurrkishNY reports.
The Independent Commission on Turkey is made up of former heads of
state and government, foreign ministers and European commissioners
and other Europeans who have previously held high positions in public
office. The commission aims to examine the challenges and opportunities
presented by Turkey’s possible membership in the EU. Martti Ahtisaari,
former president of Finland, is the chairman of the commission, and
Albert Rohan, Austria’s former secretary-general of foreign affairs,
is rapporteur. The group is scheduled to release a report titled
"Turkey in Europe: Breaking the Vicious Circle" in Brussels today. The
commission calls on European governments to stand behind promises made
to Turkey by acting fairly vis-a-vis Turkey’s membership process,
while urging the Turkish government to revive the reform process,
including the prospect of drafting a new constitution that would
expand freedoms and rights.
"Plans for toppling the government, the court case opened for closing
down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the
military’s open threat to intervene in politics," are listed in the
report as internal reasons leading to a slowdown in the reform process
related to the EU membership drive.
The Independent Commission on Turkey refutes claims that Turkey faces
a threat against its secular system, noting that no political elements
argue for the establishment of a state based on Islamic principles. A
strong connection with the EU would be the best protection for the
secular system in Turkey, it adds.