Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-19-Speech-2-149"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2002-11-19"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Progress report on enlargement2
dcterms:Language	"en"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20021119.2.2-149"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2002-11-19-Speech-2-1502
lpv:speaker	lp:John Walls Cushnahan2
lpv:spoken text	"Mr President, I warmly endorse this report and I would like in particular to speak on the issue of Turkey, given the recent unfortunate remarks by Mr Giscard d'Estaing. I consider these comments from the chairman of the Convention unacceptable and inappropriate. I take particular exception to his comment that people who backed Turkey's accession are 'the adversaries of the European Union'. I support Turkey's membership of the EU, but only on the basis that they fulfil the Copenhagen criteria. I do not subscribe to the narrow view that the Union is a 'Christian' club, I prefer to see it as a pluralist entity which reflects the diverse nature of the EU as it exists today, even before further expansion. I have always believed that Turkey's accession would provide an important bridgehead between the West and the Islamic world. Since 11 September this has become even more important. Eventual Turkish membership would demonstrate the ability of western democracy and culture to co-exist and fully cooperate with the Islamic world. The recent change in government in Turkey in no way alters my view. The people have spoken and we have to accept their verdict. I welcome the strong commitment given by AKP deputy leader Mr Abdullah Gul during his recent visit to Brussels to continue with the reform programme. However, before a date can be set for the commencement of negotiations for entry, further proof must be forthcoming that this reform programme is being implemented. Releasing political prisoners, ending torture, subjecting the security forces to the rule of law, respecting the rights of the Kurdish minority and other measures relating to the Copenhagen criteria are sure steps to securing the date for accession negotiations. Progress on this lies in the hands of the incoming administration in Turkey, not the EU."@en1
lpv:spokenAs	unknown; Fine Gael Party (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia and the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3 member; EPP-ED (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3
lpv:unclassifiedMetadata	"Cushnahan (PPE-DE )."1

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