AZG Armenian Daily #171, 24/09/2005
Turkey-EU
TURKEY HAS NOT CHANGED AND CANNOT ENTER EUROPEAN UNION
Participants of a Conference at the European Parliament Sept. 22 Conclude
The conference on the theme “December 2004 – October 2005; Has Turkey
changed?” in the European Parliament in Brussels on September 21 organized
by the European Armenian Federation For Justice and Democracy (EAFJ) and by
the support of European Parliament vice-president Ingo Friedrich gave an
unambiguous “no” to Turkey’s EU accession bid saying that it not only has
not changed a bit but also has no desire to change.
Hence, no accession talks should be started with this country. Almost none
of the participants spoke in favor of Turkey’s membership but Pierre Mirel
who argued that the start of the negotiation does not mean that Turkey is
ready to join the EU nor that it will join it.
Contrary to this opinion, deputies representing Cyprus, Juanis Kasoulidis
and Kirakos Triantofilidis, pointed out that Turkey by no means can join EU
unless it recognizes the Republic of Cyprus.
Italian deputy, Francesco Enrico Speroni, emphasized on his part that by not
recognizing Cyprus Turkey, in fact, does not recognize part of the EU.
“Turkey has first of all to liberate part of the EU only after that we may
begin negotiating with it”, Speroni said.
Founder of Info-Turk Fund, acclaimed publicist Dogan Ozgugen, spoke about
human rights violation in Turkey underscoring that his country really has to
change and live up to the principles of Copenhagen.
The participants did not sidestep the Armenian Genocide issue either.
Chairman of European Hye Dat, Hilda Chobanian, and deputy chairman of
Armenian Parliament, Vahan Hovhanissian, spoke more detailed on this issue.
Talking to media, Mrs. Chobanian said that they work now include the
Armenian issue in the European Parliament’s resolution on Turkey coming next
week. Apparently, the resolution will be on launching accession talks with
Turkey. Vice speaker of EU-Turkey delegation, deputy from Germany, Mrs.
Renata Somer closed the conference with words: “Turkey has not changed in
the period from December 2004 to October of the current year. There is no
visible progress. The army is still a major factor in the country. No steps
were taken towards recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the Republic of
Cyprus. Therefore, Turkey cannot have a future without remembering and
acknowledging its past”.
By Hakob Asatrian in Brussels