EP PROVOCATIONS TO TURKEY
By Selcuk Gultasli
Zaman, Turkey
zaman.com
Sept 29 2005
The European Parliament (EP) which postponed ratification on the
Customs Union Supplementary Protocol, signed between Turkey and
European Union (EU) has now called Turkey to acknowledge the events
which took place between 1915 and 1923, as Armenian genocide.
After calling the prosecution of Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk and
the cancellation of the Armenian conference ‘provocations’ aiming to
obstruct Turkey’s EU process, the EP has now made a provocation itself.
On Wednesday, the EP issued one of its most severe resolutions on
Turkey. EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Chair Joost Lagendijk
told Zaman, “After the provocations of Pamuk and Armenian conference,
this is a provocation from EP.”
The resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide is non-binding, but
the EP’s attitude regarding the protocol is assessed as the beginning
of a legal crisis. For the Supplementary Protocol to come into effect,
approval in the European Parliament is required.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn maintained the postponement
would not impede the beginning of the negotiations. However, his
letter to EP is reported to have been effective in the postponement.
The Commissioner who had announced he would take action so that
Turkish parliament did not handle the Supplementary Protocol and the
declaration together, had put EP into expectation.
In the meantime, Christian Democrats have turned out to have deceived
other political groups in the EP.
The Christian Democrats had promised not to propose the postponement
of the vote on the Supplementary Protocol if a common resolution
emerged in the last session.
On Wednesday evening, however, they announced they would not keep
to this.
The Supplementary Protocol that envisages the extension of the Customs
Union to the 10 new Union members including the Greek Cypriots was
on EP’s agenda Wednesday.
Postponing the ratification vote on the Supplementary Protocol and
issuing a joint resolution which contained quite severe terms.
The delay in approving the Supplementary Protocol has triggered a
serious legal crisis on the eve of October 3.
The Christian Democrats, EPP, demanded of Turkish parliament to left
out the unilateral declaration, which proclaimed non-recognition of the
Greek Cypriots, during the ratification process of the Supplementary
Protocol in the Turkish Parliament and they managed to impose this
approach to the EP.
Now, the European Parliament wants to see how the Supplementary
Protocol and the declaration will be handled by the Turkish parliament.
Turkey, in the meantime, has communicated to its counterparts that
it is out of question that the European parliament does not ratify
the declaration.
Ankara thinks that the declaration and its ratification are rights that
derive from the international law and that EP’s demand is tantamount
to asking Turkey not to exercise the rights that derive from the
international law.
The EP could not assume a consistent attitude with regard to Turkey’s
declaration on Cyprus, it has been noted. The Union had not taken
any such action in relation with the declaration Greece unilaterally
issued to object to the name of Macedonia.
Reportedly, the EP has taken four decisions similar to the one about
the so-called Armenian genocide it has taken on Wednesday.
The first of these four decisions was taken in 1987.
Attention is drawn to attitudes that these decisions were evaluated
“politically” rather than “legally” and that the decisions by the
European Court of Justice reflected the same perspective.
Christian Democrats mislead the parliament
Christian Democrats misled the other political groups in the EP about
the supplementary protocol.
In the last meeting with the other political groups, the EPP promised
they would not offer any postponement of the supplementary protocol
if a common decision appears like this. Upon this, the Socialists,
the Greens, and the Liberals allowed the joint decision to toughen
against Turkey.
The EPP group assured that they would not present any motion asking
amendments in some issues including the so-called Armenian genocide
in return of toughening the text.
However, the EPP calling the other groups at late night hours on
Wednesday said they would not be dependent on the agreement reached
and present a motion about postponement of the supplementary protocol.
The EPP has therefore toughened the joint resolution as they wished and
caused the so-called Armenian genocide to be accepted as a precondition
for Turkey’s membership to the EU.
Chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee in EP Joost
Lagendijk said the EPP misled them. Lagendijk directing his criticisms
specifically to Elmar Brok said they were shocked as the resolution
was reached with the support of unexpected groups.
EU Commissioner Olli Rehn scores own goal
Reportedly, an official letter by the EU Commissioner for Enlargement
Olli Rehn to the EP was effective in the postponement of the
supplementary protocol. Rehn sent a letter to Elmar Brok, chairman
of the EP’s Foreign Affairs Committee, on September 22, conveying
he would make an attempt not to allow Turkey’s Cyprus declaration
(July 29) to be approved together with the supplementary protocol at
Turkish parliament.
Comments have been made that that the EP had expectations about this
and the letter became effective in the postponement of the voting.
Rehn released an announcement yesterday expressing regrets about
the EP’s decision of delay and saying the decision will not affect
the negotiations to begin on October 3. Rehn determined that EP’s
attitude weakened EU’s calls on Turkey about non-fulfillment of its
promises about the Supplementary Protocol.
Rehn also used football terminology in his yesterday speech saying
that EU should not score an own goal. Despite Rehn’s warnings, EP
members delayed the voting with the excuse that Turkey will approve
the Declaration on Cyprus in the Turkish Parliament.
Significant points of the decision
If Turkey does not approve the Supplementary Protocol, EU negotiations
may stop.
Chapters on the Customs Union should be first chapters to deal with.
Turkey should immediately recognize the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Recognition is not an issue to be discussed.
Turkey should pullout its troops from Cyprus in an early period under
the framework of a schedule.
EU’s absorption capacity is a prerequisite of enlargement.
Isolation on Turkish Cypriots should end.
Lawsuit against Orhan Pamuk is a source of concern. Turkish Criminal
Code’s (TCK) articles of 301/1 and 305 should be reviewed. Bill on
Foundations is a source of concern as well.
Vessels and airplanes under Greek Cypriot flag should be permitted
to enter Turkish sea and airports.
EU Commission should inform about the number of people who have faced
torture in Turkey in the progress report.