EUROPA (press release), Belgium
Sept 28 2005
Speech by Mr Olli Rehn
Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enlargement
“Accession negotiations with Turkey: the journey is as important as
the final destination”
European Parliament Plenary Session
Strasbourg, 28 September 2005
Introduction
Let me first extend a warm welcome to the new observer Members of
Parliament from Bulgaria and Romania. I am very happy to see that you
are participating in the work of this House, and I am looking forward
to cooperating with you in the future.
This debate about Turkey is timely. We are on the eve of the date
fixed by the European Council for starting accession negotiations
with Turkey. This opens a new phase in the EU-Turkey relations.
The reasons which led the EU to decide to open accession negotiations
with Turkey are unchanged: the EU needs a stable, democratic and
prosperous Turkey, in peace with its neighbours, which takes over the
EU values, policies and standards.
The start of the negotiations will give a strong push for those in
Turkey, who want to reform the country to meet the European values of
rule of law and human rights; they are also a way for the EU to have
leverage on the direction of these reforms.
The conditions set in the December European Council conclusions are
met: First, the six pieces of legislation, including the penal code,
identified by the Commission in last year’s Recommendation entered
into force on 1 June. Second, Turkey signed Additional Protocol to
Ankara Agreement on 29 July.
Additional Protocol
In this context, I would like to thank the chairman of the Committee
of Foreign Affairs and the rapporteur, Mr Elmar Brok, for putting
forward the recommendation to give assent to the conclusion of the
Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement.
Let me make some comments in light of the developments in recent
weeks.
We regret the fact that Turkey had to issue a declaration upon
signature of the Additional Protocol. This obliged the EU Member
States to react and to lay down the obligations which we expect
Turkey to meet, in a statement adopted on
21 September. It stresses that:
– the declaration by Turkey is unilateral, it does not form part of
the Protocol and that has no legal effect on Turkey’s obligations
under the Protocol;
– the EU expects full, non-discriminatory implementation of the
Additional Protocol, and the removal of all obstacles to the free
movement of goods, including restrictions on means of transport;
– the opening of negotiations on the relevant chapters depends on
Turkey’s implementation of its contractual obligations to all Member
States; failure to implement its obligations in full will affect the
overall progress in the negotiations;
– recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the
accession process; accordingly, the EU underlines the importance it
attaches to the normalisation of relations between Turkey and all EU
Member States, as soon as possible;
– and finally, in the context of this declaration, the European
Community and its Member States agree on the importance of supporting
the efforts of the UN Secretary General to bring about a
comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in line with relevant
UNSCRs and the principles on which the EU is founded, and that a just
and lasting settlement will contribute to peace, stability and
harmonious relations in the region.
Negotiating framework
Right before the start of accession negotiations, the Council should
adopt the negotiation framework proposed by the Commission. This
framework forms a solid basis for rigorous and fair negotiations with
Turkey.
Political reform
I have carefully read your joint motion for a resolution and I share
many of your concerns. I also agree with you that there is an
important link between the pace of negotiations and the pace of
political reforms.
I will spare no effort to repeat time and again that starting
accession negotiations marks only the beginning of a very demanding
and complex process: Turkey will need to continue and accelerate its
process of internal transformation and its transition towards a fully
fledged liberal democracy respectful of human rights and minorities.
Turkey’s reform process is ongoing. Important legislative reforms
adopted earlier have now entered into force, leading to structural
changes in the judiciary. The human rights situation has improved,
but significant further efforts are required.
There have been recently some encouraging signals. The acknowledgment
by Prime Minister Erdogan of the existence of a `Kurdish issue’ is a
landmark. His trip to Diyarbakir suggests the importance the
Government attaches to the economic and social development of the
South East of Turkey.
The academic conference on the Armenian issue could finally take
place in Istanbul last week-end, with the support of the government
and despite last-minute attempts by an administrative court to cancel
it. These attempts were strongly condemned by PM Erdogan and Vice-PM
Abdullah Gül. This is a step forward.
However, in order to be fully credible, Turkey’s commitment to
further political reforms should be translated into more concrete
achievements for the benefit of all Turkish citizens.
Despite the efforts of the authorities, implementation on the ground
remains uneven. On the one hand, there are signs that the judiciary
is enforcing the reforms. Several positive court judgements have been
made in relation to cases on freedom of expression, freedom of
religion and the fight against torture and ill-treatment.
On the other hand, there have been contradictory decisions,
particularly in the area of freedom of expression where, for example,
journalists continue to be prosecuted and, on occasion, convicted,
for expressing certain non-violent opinions.
The case of Orhan Pamuk is emblematic of the difficulties the Turkish
authorities face to ensure effective and uniform implementation of
the reforms and of the struggle between the reformers and the
conservatives in Turkey.
The respected novelist is prosecuted by a district judge of Istanbul
under art 301 of the new Penal Code for `denigrating Turkish
identity’. Yet, an earlier investigation by another prosecutor was
dropped following a different interpretation of the same Penal Code,
which states in the same article, 301 that expression of opinion with
the purpose of criticism does not require penalties!
The Commission made already very clear that its assessment of the new
Penal Code, in particular on the doubtful provisions related to
freedom of expression, would depend on how actually these provisions
are implemented.
The prosecution of Mr Pamuk raises serious concerns in this respect.
If this is indeed the direction taken by the judiciary in Turkey,
then the Turkish Penal Code will have to be amended in such a way
that freedom of expression is not subject to the very particular
beliefs of some district judge anymore, but simply follows European
standards as we all know them.
Another problem: fundamental problems encountered by non Muslim
religious minorities persist. There is an urgent need to address
these in a comprehensive manner via the adoption of legislation in
line with the relevant European standards. A draft Law on Foundations
is currently pending in Parliament but we have made it clear to the
Turkish authorities that the current draft still falls short of EU
standards.
On these issues, the Commission will continue to monitor closely the
progress in meeting the Copenhagen political criteria fully. We shall
make a detailed analysis in our Regular Report, to be published on 9
November.
I want to add that we shall propose a revised Accession Partnership
which will list the priorities that Turkey needs to meet, including
in the political area. This will serve as a roadmap for future
political reforms and as a yardstick against which to measure future
progress.
Conclusion
L’Union Europénne se trouve à un moment crucial, dont nous ne devons
pas sous-estimer l’importance. En ouvrant des négociations d’adhésion
avec la Turquie, nous prenons une option forte sur la poursuite de la
métamorphose politique, économique et sociale de ce pays. Ce faisant,
nous respectons nos engagements à son égard.
J’adresse à la Turquie le message que nous devons construire des
relations basées sur une confiance réciproque. Je fais confiance aux
autorités turques pour qu’elles s’embarquent dans ce voyage avec une
attitude ouverte et que le Trois Octobre fournisse l’occasion d’un
nouveau départ. La démonstration d’un engagement sans ambiguïté ni
arrière-pensées envers la transformation démocratique et les valeurs
européennes sera certainement le meilleur atout de la Turquie pour
gagner le soutien de l’opinion publique en Europe.
Au cours de la période à venir, la Turquie aura l’opportunité de
démontrer qu’elle est sérieusement engagée à intégrer les valeurs
européennes. Les pays qui souhaitent adhérer à l’Union doivent en
effet partager notre vision de l’Europe et notre conception de
relations internationales basées sur la démocratie, l’état de droit,
les droits de l’homme et la solidarité. Ils doivent également
partager nos normes, que ce soit entre autres dans le domaine social,
environnemental ou industriel. Si l’Union Européenne prend un pari
sur leur adhésion future, c’est parce que nous croyons aussi que
c’est dans notre meilleur intérêt et que c’est pour le bénéfice de
nos concitoyens. Je m’engage personnellement devant cette Assemblée à
mettre en `uvre rigoureusement nos critères et conditions.
Comme je l’ai dit à de nombreuses reprises, le voyage est aussi
important que la destination finale. Bien que l’objectif commun des
négociations soit l’adhésion, de telles négociations sont de par leur
nature même ouvertes quant au résultat. Mais c’est dans notre intérêt
réciproque que ce processus soit encadré dans des principes clairs et
rigoureux tels que ceux prévus dans le cadre de négociation. Ceci est
la meilleure garantie d’un succès.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS MEETS WITH ARMENIAN STUDENTS
“THE LANGUAGE OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN
ARMENIANS SHOULD BE ONLY ARMENIAN”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
As part of His Pontifical visit to Canada, His Holiness Aram I met with the
young Armenian students of Toronto on September 30. The students of the
“Koloyan Elementary-Secondary School of the Armenian Relief Society (ARL)”,
as well as those of the “Babayan Kindergarten” prepared a special program to
commemorate the 1600th anniversary of the Consecration of the Armenian
Alphabet.
His Holiness first visited the “Babayan Kindergarten” with Prelate
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, V Rev Fr Meghrig and the delegation accompanying
him from Lebanon. The youngest representatives of the new Armenian
generation put out a well-prepared performance in honor of the Catholicos.
The ceremony in ARL’s elementary and secondary school started with the
welcoming remarks of teacher Moushegh Karakashian, followed by a speech by
Haroutioun Shitilian, chairman of the educational committee.
The latter drew out a connection between the 1600th anniversary of the
consecration of the Armenian Alphabet, the 75th anniversary of the Seminary’
s establishment and the 10th anniversary of His Holiness’ enthronement.
Shitilian pointed out that the prominent individuals who have contributed to
the school’s success in the past and do so in the present are all graduates
of the Antelias Seminary.
The students then took to the stage, with representatives from the eleventh
and twelfth grades delivering speeches in Armenian and English about His
Holiness’ activeness and the achievements of his 10 year tenure.
“Nightingales of Kantsasar”, a children’s choir composed of students from
the second and third classes, entertained the audience with enthusiastic
songs.
Prelate Archbishop Hagopian delivered a speech outlining His Holiness’
international efficacy, particularly in the international ecumenical,
inter-faith and political fields.
His Holiness then delivered a lecture on the 1600th anniversary of the
Consecration of the Armenian Alphabet. He highly praised the students, the
administration, teachers and the board of trustees, emphasizing the
importance of remaining loyal towards Mesrob Mashdots and his work.
“Being an Armenian first and foremost means speaking in Armenian, reading
Armenian, writing in Armenian, singing in Armenian and opening to our
cultural values. Our nation receives its spiritual and national nourishment
from the Armenian language and culture,” said His Holiness.
“Therefore, the only language of conversation between us, Armenians, should
be Armenian. We will speak in various languages with foreigners, but we will
speak in Armenian with one another. Otherwise what value does this building,
which has been erected for you with such huge sacrifices, have? You give
life to this building with your pure Armenian language. Mesrob Mashdots
lives in this building when you speak with each other in Armenian,” he
continued.
His Holiness then blessed over 350 students with “Bahbanitch”.
His Holiness gave a press conference to the local Armenian and Canadian
media on the morning of September 30. The Catholicos focused on the role of
the church and the importance of finding better means of attracting the
youth.
Answering the questions of reporters, His Holiness also spoke about
advancing cooperation in the meeting places of religions and cultures in
multi-religious societies, in order to fight against globalization and its
threat to identities with united efforts.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 800-888-8897
Fax: 818-243-7222
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian
E-mail: [email protected]
Armenia Fund Unveils 2005 Telethon Logo – Build a New Horizon
Thanksgiving Day Telethon Launched
Los Angeles, CA – Armenia Fund, Inc. launched Telethon 2005 – Build a
New Horizon – with a logo unveiling ceremony and reception on Wednesday,
September 14, at the Casa Adobe de San Rafael in Glendale, California.
The logo and the theme `Build a New Horizon’ was created by local
graphic artist Helena Gregorian. The orange and white logo features the
four key elements of Telethon 2005 – agricultural development,
construction of water distribution systems, health care and education.
Produced by Armenia Fund, Inc., since 1996, the Telethon has become a
Thanksgiving Day tradition for Armenians around the world. Through the
annual Telethons Armenians around the world are able to participate in
the important task of nation-building by supporting large-scale
infrastructure development and humanitarian projects in Armenia and
Karabakh.
The Telethon 2005 launch brought together representatives of all large
Armenian organizations and a number of local elected and appointed
officials of the cities of Glendale, La Canada, Pasadena and Burbank as
well as California State Representatives.
Elaborating on this years Telethon theme the Chairperson of Armenia
Fund, Inc., Maria Mehranian said: “This year our fundraising focus will
be on Martakert – the Northern region of Karabakh that has been the
hardest hit and is in the most need of revitalization. One of the most
urgent needs for the population of Martakert is Healthcare and that is
what our focus will be in the U.S. Western Region.’
Among other priority projects such as Drinking Water, Agricultural
Development and Education, this year’s Telethon will raise funds for the
Martakert Regional Hospital and Ambulance System that will service
20,000 in more than 50 villages in all five sub-regions of Martakert.
Ara Aghisian, Vice Chairman of Armenia Fund, Inc., announced upcoming
Telethon 2005 events and activities including a November 18 gala dinner
at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel featuring President of the Republic of
Karabakh, H.E. Arkady Ghoukasian and the Foreign Affairs Minister of the
Republic of Armenia, H.E. Vartan Oskanian.
Scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, November 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(PST), Telethon 2005 is a 12-hour, live broadcast airing in over 25
cities throughout the United States as well as Europe, South America,
the CIS and the Middle East.
For more information on Armenia Fund, Telethon 2005, please contact
Armenia Fund at 818.243.6222 or visit the newly updated website at
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund.

“RE-COG-NI-TION”
A1+
| 17:38:53 | 03-10-2005 | Social |
The members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Youth Union
and students of different higher educational institutions organized
a march today to the EU office with cries “Off you go, Tur-key”,
“Re-cog-ni-tion”, “Con-dem-na-tion”.
The act of complaint was connected with the fact that today Turkey
starts negotiations of membership to the EU.
The act consisted of two phases. First they sent a letter to the
Embassy of Great Britain, and then to the EU office. “Why to the
Embassy of Great Britain? Because GB is the presiding country, besides,
being one of the efficient member-countries of EU it has opposed more
than once to the membership of Turkey”, member of the ARF YU Mkhitar
Margaryan says.
By the way, if the act has no results, the Youth Wing has decided to
organize a sit-down strike.

LUZHKOV TO CONGRATULATE
A1+
| 14:44:38 | 03-10-2005 | Social |
On October 8-9 Yerevan will celebrate its birthday party. By the
Government decision the second Saturday of October has been announced
“The Yerevan Day” instead of the previous Erebouni-Yerevan. “All the
capitals in the world have their birthdays, why mustn’t Yerevan have
one? ” deputy mayor Arman Sahakyan said.
On October 8 at 10:30 a.m. the Yerevan history museum will be
opened. At 12:00 in all the Yerevan communities events will take
place which will end with fireworks. At midday in the cinema Moscow
the annual photo competition “Yerevan by my Eyes” will initiate.
According to Armen Sahakyan, about 80-100 million ARMD will be spent
on the celebrations. 11 delegations from different country will arrive
in Armenia.
>>From Russia, the delegation of Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov will arrive.
By the way, on October 6 the Moscow days in Yerevan will be
organized. A Gala concert will be organized in which about a hundred
Russian actors and singers will participate

NEED FOR SPEED
A1+
| 14:23:05 | 03-10-2005 | Politics |
Today the NA plenary session started with the participation of 105
deputies. In 28 minutes they voted for 28 drafts, including those
remained after the previous sitting.
The Orinats Yerkir Party draft about the return of the deposits was
included into the agenda without any «against» votes. By the way, the
secretary of the Justice bloc Viktor Dallakyan spoke for it. According
to him, even if his draft has illegally been excluded from the agenda,
he calls people to vote for the Orinats Yerkir draft proceeding from
the importance of the issue.
–Boundary_(ID_VjBG7Ng02leMr8+owToIhg)–

CALL TO URGE TURKEY TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE CONVEYED TO EU URUGUAYAN OFFICE
Pan Armenian News
03.10.2005 04:32
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Thousands of signatures will be presented to the
Uruguayan EU Office in Montevideo today. The signatories call upon the
European Union to urge Turkey to acknowledge Armenian Genocide. The
action was initiated by Uruguayan MP of Armenian origin Lilian
Keshishian and various Armenian organizations. Vice President of
Uruguay, Ministers and MPs are among those to have signed the appeal,
RFE/RL reported.

RALLIES AGAINST TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP HELD IN ISTANBUL
Pan Armenian News
03.10.2005 02:37
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Mass rallies against Turkey’s EU membership were
held in Istanbul. Tens of thousands of nationalists marched along the
streets shouting out anti-European slogans like “We do not believe
EU”, “No to EU, no to U.S., long live to independent nationalist
Turkey.” The rallies proceeded without incidents and police did not
interfere. The special meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers held in
Luxemburg was fruitless, since the parties failed to agree on the
terms for Turkey’s accession to the EU.
The issue will be once again discussed today.

DESTROYING AGAIN
A1+
| 15:50:29 | 03-10-2005 | Social |
On September 30 the court officers tried to evict the Hovhannisyan from
their house in Buzand 17. They even destroyed the roof of the house,
despite the fact that the very day the Hovhannisyans received the
document about the postponing the eviction till the Court of Appeal
makes a decision. The family has been living in the half-destroyed
house for the last 3 days and praying God for dry weather in order
not to soak.
The residents of the street did not allow the court officers to level
the walls to earth; they stood under the walls and did not move. And
the residents of Buzand 15 are terrified. They have no doubt that they
will be the next to be evicted. “I will do everything I can. If they
evict me with my two babies, I will apply to the UN Mothers office”,
announced Anahit Melqonyan.
Although Yervand Zakharyan had promised to revise the Buzand street
case, nothing has been done yet. On October 5 the residents of the
street will organize an act of complaint opposite the President’s
residence, and on October 6 another one opposite the Government
building.

MOST IMPORTANT DISCUSSION IN THE EMPTY HALL
A1+
| 16:57:07 | 03-10-2005 | Politics |
“Births must be supported by the state, every birth must have financial
support. There are many cases when young people do not want to create
a family because of financial problems”, announced NA President Arthur
Baghdasaryan during the discussion of the law on “State Pensions”.
Today in the Parliament the pack of social laws was discussed. It was
represented by the Minister of Social Affairs Aghvan Vardanyan. The
oppositional deputies also participated in the discussion. The
secretary of the Justice bloc Viktor Dallakyan offered to raise the
family pensions to the 70% of the minimal consumer basket.
“Not 70, but it will reach 60%”, claimed Aghvan Vardanyan. By the
way, there is also a point in the law which deprives the pensioner
of the pension for 6 months in case of finding false information in
the documents. Arthur Baghdasaryan offered to reduce the date to 3
months, but Aghvan Vardanyan said the date has already been reduced
from 1 year to 6 months.
Both the NA President and the Minister of Social Affairs noted
that it is an extremely important discussion. While saying these
words there were only 10 deputies representing the coalition in the
Parliament hall.