REHN: “THE EP DELAY ON THE ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL VOTE WON’T HINDER ANKARA’S EU TALKS”
Turkish Press
Sept 29 2005
Press Review
CUMHURIYET
Appearing on news channel NTV yesterday, European Union Commissioner
for Enlargement Olli Rehn said that European Parliament decisions
postponing approval of the additional protocol and pushing recognition
of the so-called Armenian genocide for Ankara’s EU membership wouldn’t
be obstacles to the beginning of Turkey’s EU accession talks. Rehn
stated that Turkey should fulfill the additional protocol as soon
as possible, adding that not doing so would adversely affect its
talks. He further stated that Ankara should take into consideration
the EU’s counter-declaration. In related news, Turkey-EU Joint
Parliamentary Committee Chairman Joost Lagendijk criticized the EP
decision postponing approval of the protocol, saying that it had sent
the wrong message to Turkey.