, Turkey
Jan 1 2010
Blocks slow down Turkey 2009 progress in EU bid
Turkey’s "EU accession process" somewhat slowed down in 2009 due to
the deadlock with EU over opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot
vessels.
Friday, 01 January 2010 14:45
Turkey’s "EU accession process" somewhat slowed down in 2009 due to
the deadlock with EU over opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot
vessels.
The EU countries had decided in 2006 not to open 8 chapters in
accession negotiations and putting on hold the conclusion of the
remaining chapters in process on the grounds that Turkey failed to
fulfill its responsibilities stemming from the "Additional Protocol"
to the Association Agreement which stipulates Turkey to open its ports
to Greek Cypriot vessels. The EU countries asked the Commission to
follow up on the issue in its reports on 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Turkey which refused EU’s demand, said it would only open the ports
when the EU fulfilled its promises and removed the embargo on Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus, which voted in favour of the Annan Plan
for settlement.
The Greek Cypriot administration argued that with the 2006 decision,
the EU countries gave 2009 as deadline for Turkey to open its ports to
Greek Cypriot vessels.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, who wrote the decision back
in 2006, said 2009 was not a deadline.
The commission, in its report published on October 14, 2009, noted
that Turkey did not fulfill its obligation to open its ports to Greek
Cypriot vessels.
In this respect, foreign ministers of EU countries who gathered on
December 7-8 for a General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels to
assess the conclusions on EU enlargement, refused the demands of Greek
Cypriot administration which pushed for new sanctions –including the
suspension of the negotiations– during the meeting, and decided to
reassess the situation in the future.
In the document adopted during the meeting, EU foreign ministers
expressed "regret" over Turkey’s refusal to open its ports to Greek
Cypriot vessels, –as stipulated by the "Additional Protocol" to the
Association Agreement– despite repeated calls.
The Greek Cypriot administration declared that it would block opening
of 6 chapters in accession negotiations with Turkey.
Though the Greek Cypriot administration announced that it would not
block the opening of the Environment chapter, it will set forth
preconditions for opening of chapters on "Free movement of Workers"
(Chapter 2), "Energy" (Chapter 15), "Judiciary and Fundamental Rights"
(Chapter 24), "Education and Culture" (Chapter 26), Foreign, Security
and Defense Policy (Chapter 31).
These chapters are already being blocked by Greek Cypriot
administration, Greece and the EU Commission.
With the opening of the Environment chapter on December 21, and the
"Taxation" chapter during the Czech EU presidency in the first half of
2009, Turkey is currently carrying out negotiations with EU on 12 of
the 33 negotiation chapters.
Considering the 8 chapters blocked by EU Commission, the 5 chapters
blocked by France and the 9 chapters blocked by Greek Cypriot
administration, (some of which overlap) only 4 or 5 chapters with
strict opening criteria remain. Given these circumstances, it seems
the pace of Turkey’s accession negotiations will inevitably further
slow down in the years to come.
"High level visits"
Frequency of high level visits by Turkish officials to EU bodies and
officials increased in 2009. Through visits to Brussels, on the level
of president, prime minister and main opposition leader, Turkey once
more reiterated its commitment to the goal of EU membership.
EU Commission’s President Jose Manuel Barroso who visited Turkey in
2009 said EU was still loyal to Turkey’s accession process despite the
statements by certain EU countries.
The signing of the intergovernmental agreement for Nabucco pipeline
project –which will reduce EU’s dependency on Russian gas– at a
ceremony on June 13, also attended by Barroso, created a strategic
opportunity for cooperation between Turkey and EU.
"Civilian constitution"
EU, started voicing its expectancy from Turkey for a civilian
constitution, more strongly.
In its "Progress Report", the EU Commission underlined that there was
growing awareness in Turkey on the need for amending the constitution,
to allow more democratization and provide more guarantees for
fundamental rights, in line with EU standards.
The EU urged Turkey to review the articles of the constitution
concerning, political parties, labour unions, and use of languages
other than Turkish and remove obstacles in way of establishment of an
ombudsmanship.
The commission criticized the government for not taking the draft
constitution prepared by scholars into its agenda, the lack of
consensus among political parties for amendment of the constitution.
The commission welcomed Turkey’s efforts to normalise its relations
with Armenia and the protocols signed to this end.
The EU welcomed Turkish government’s democratic initiative, including
measures addressing the "Kurdish issue", voicing its expectancy for
concrete measures ensuring full rights and freedom for all.
The commission which showed a rather soft reaction to the dissolution
of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) by the constitutional court said
it was unfortunate that DTP refused to distance itself from terrorist
organization PKK and condemn terrorism.
AA