European Parliament postpones the vote on Turkey to September

European Parliament postpones the vote on Turkey to September

ArmRadio.am
12.07.2006 13:33

The vote on the draft resolution on "Turkey’s progress toward
accession," which should have been voted on Wednesday, July 12th by
the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, was
postponed due to practical reasons, reported the European Armenian
Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).

The major reason for delay was the late translation of the numerous
amendments. These amendments were submitted only on Monday afternoon
to the various political groups, which did not leave time to them
to prepare for the vote.

While the provisional report made only vague references to Armenian
concerns, the amendments tackle key concerns comprehensively. Many
parliamentarians from the main political parties – including
the Christian Democrats, Socialist, Liberal, and Communist –
unanimously call on Turkey to "withdraw without condition the
blockade of Armenia" and to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide as
"a prerequisite to accession".

The European Parliament resolution will finally be voted on the first
week of September by the Foreign Affairs Committee and eventually on
the last week of September in the plenary session.