Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-06-04-Speech-3-153"
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"en.20030604.4.3-153"2
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"Mr President, we all recognise that many reforms need to take place in Turkey in order that its candidacy for the European Union can be taken forward as rapidly as possible. Turkey does not expect to be treated any more or any less favourably than any other candidate country, but it does expect to be treated fairly.
I have long argued for the need to send a strong, positive signal to Turkey that will sustain the commitment to modernisation and westernisation that has been a feature of that country for 80 years or more. With the threat to us all from international terrorism and the continuing instability in the Middle East, it is vitally important that Turkey should remain firmly anchored within the alliance of the democracies.
Parliament's report should therefore be upbeat and encouraging, recognising the enormous progress that has been made and the willingness of the Turkish authorities to carry out radical change, while emphasising the steps that still need to be taken to overcome difficulties and obstacles. Instead, the Oostlander report, even improved as it has been by amendment, is unsympathetic. It emphasises the negative, places undue weight on the often unverified allegations and views of extremists and minorities, and there is no warmth or friendship. It rather implies that Turkey is not very welcome.
I am the most ardent campaigner for respect for human rights, but not where this is a cover for subversion or where extremists masquerade under a human rights placard. Of course we condemn torture – it is inexcusable wherever it takes place – but we should also recognise the political exploitation of torture allegations by opponents of the Turkish regime. I do not believe it is helpful for any country to institutionalise minorities. Every effort should be made to integrate minorities into the mainstream of a nation's life without denying them the right to express their own language or culture.
In the name of democracy and human rights the report calls for measures that, without care, would merely serve to empower essentially undemocratic elements, giving greater influence and visibility to fundamental Islamists and extremists who wish to unravel any attachment to western values.
On Cyprus there is a one-sided interpretation of events with no recognition of the positive steps taken by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, no call for generosity by both sides. I welcome the measures taken by the Commission in the last few days to help lift the embargo. It is most important that in December 2004 the European Union gives an early date for the opening of negotiations on Turkey's membership. I am afraid this report quite deliberately sends the opposite signal."@en1
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