CYPRUS DISPUTE ‘SHOULD NOT DELAY TURKEY’S EU ACCESSION’
by Andrew Woodcock, PA Political Correspondent
Press Association
September 8, 2005, Thursday 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the European Union should not
be delayed, even though Ankara refuses to recognise the Republic of
Cyprus, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said today.
He warned that turning a cold shoulder to Turkey would give ammunition
to Islamist extremists, while welcoming it into the EU would be
a powerful blow against the belief in a “clash of civilisations”
between the Muslim world and the West.
The long-awaited talks are due to begin on October 3, but there is
growing popular and political opposition to Turkey joining the EU in
several existing member states, including France and Germany.
Ankara’s announcement that its recent signature of an Association
Agreement Protocol with the EU – a necessary step on the road
to membership – did not imply recognition of the Greek Cypriot
administration in Nicosia was seized upon by opponents of accession
as a reason for delay.
But speaking in London today, Mr Straw said: “There is more at stake
here than Turkey’s future. This is about Europe’s future too. And
it is a question of paramount importance for the whole international
community.
“Turkey is a secular nation with a majority Muslim population. By
welcoming Turkey we will demonstrate that Western and Islamic cultures
can thrive together as partners in the modern world. The alternative
is too terrible to contemplate.”
And he added: “A stable, prosperous Turkey anchored in the European
Union would be a powerful symbol indeed that the true divide lies not
between civilisations but between the vast majority of civilised people
across the world and the uncivilised few who use violence and terror to
try to destroy the common values and beliefs which bind the rest of us.
“It will prove that a secular, democratic state which shows respect
for Islam can live comfortably within Europe. Conversely, what message
would we give out if we were perceived to turn away from Turkey?”
Mr Straw said that, due to its strategic position as a bridge between
East and West, Turkey would offer the EU vital new strengths in the
battle against terrorism, cross-border crime and drug-trafficking.
Contrary to fears that the entry of a populous, low-wage economy into
the EU would have damaging economic effects on existing members,
Mr Straw insisted that Turkish accession would boost not only its
own prosperity but that of the rest of the Union.
He hailed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “wide-ranging and
courageous reform” to bring Turkey in line with European standards
on human rights and democracy.
But he was critical of the decision to bring charges of “denigration
of Turkish identity” against world-renowned novelist Orhan Pamuk for
comments he made about the Ottoman-era genocide of Armenians and more
recent killings of thousands of Kurds.
Mr Straw said that the Pamuk case showed there was “still some way to
go in the implementation” of measures to protect freedom of speech,
and cautioned that “continued and sustained commitment” to EU norms
would be required from the Turkish Government.
The Foreign Secretary pointed out that the possibility of Turkish entry
into the EU had first been held out in 1963, with the establishment
of a customs union, and said that “the destinies of Turkey and the
rest of Europe have long been intertwined”.
The dispute over Cyprus should not be a bar to Turkish accession,
said Mr Straw. Instead, European leaders should have faith that the
EU’s “healing power” will help dissipate tensions between the two
sides once they are fellow members of the Union.
“I would have preferred it if the Government of Turkey had not felt
it necessary to issue its declaration stating that its signature of
the Association Agreement Protocol did not amount to recognition of
the Republic of Cyprus,” he said.
“But acknowledging that Turkey’s declaration raises genuine concerns
– which we, as Presidency, are working hard to address – does not
mean that we should delay the start of Turkey’s historic accession
negotiations.
“We should have faith in the power of the Union to help resolve
problems.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress