Euro-reporters.com, Belgium
Sept 13 2005
More Turkey hopes
Written by Brussels journalist David Ferguson
Tuesday, 13 September 2005
Turkey will top the bill when EU diplomats meet tomorrow. A new
compromise formula is being mooted in Brussels that allows membership
negotiations to start on 3 October provided Turkey recognizes Cyprus
if it ever becomes a full member in around 15 years. Cyprus is expected
to accept the draft making way for formal approval at an extraordinary
meeting of the General Affairs Council at the end of September.
“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. By doing so the process has frankly been made
more difficult,” admitted UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
Since enlargement on 1 May 2004, the EU customs union has been
comprised of the old 15 Member States but also of 10 new countries
including Cyprus, which Turkey does not recognize. Ankara is the only
country in the world to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus. One of the conditions for Turkey starting negotiations with
the EU on 3 October 2005, as foreseen, was full acceptance of the EU
Customs Union, including its member Cyprus, by Turkey.
Speaking last week in London, the UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw
admitted that Turkey’s refusal to recognize Cyprus at the end of July
was ‘unfortunate’. “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,” continued Straw.
French politicians have been highly critical of Turkey’s refusal to
recognize Cyprus and have also demanded historical acceptance of the
Armenian genocide. Starting negotiations with Turkey may still be
delayed. September elections in Germany are likely to see CDU leader
Angela Merkel unseat Gerhard Schroder, possibly herself becoming
German Chancellor. Merkel has been a vociferous opponent of Turkey
entering the European Union.
The European Parliament has also voiced concern. “Negotiating means
accepting each other as negotiating partners. The negotiating partners
of Turkey would be all 25 EU-member states. How can Turkey negotiate
its accession to the EU without recognizing one of its members?” said
Hans-Gert Poettering, chairman of the conservative EPP group in the
European Parliament.
;task=view&id=181&Itemid=1