Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-12-13-Speech-1-120"
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"en.20041213.10.1-120"2
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"Mr President, I should like to start by complimenting the Commission on a wise, far-sighted and balanced report, and I should also like to say to the Dutch Presidency that, in my view, they have made a good job of tackling an extremely difficult matter. As Chairman of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, I should also like to start by expressing my support for Mr Eurlings’ report, which I think is a balanced document, as well as a responsible one in a way that is absolutely crucial.
It is not every day that Parliament adopts a position on such an important matter as Turkey. There is no doubt that Turkey has made a very great deal of progress such as it would scarcely have made if there had been no prospect – a prospect made use of many times in the Turkish Parliament – of Turkey’s being accorded candidate status. Is Turkey to become a Member or not? I do not think it would be right of us today or tomorrow to take decisions as to whether it will be. I believe that what is crucial is to begin negotiations with Turkey and to have a perspective, but not to have any automatic arrangement or any guarantee. That leads to the issue to which I wish to devote the rest of my speaking time.
Turkey is faced with having to deliver a long list of results. That is not without its problems. I must remind the Commission and Mr Rehn that, among the problems that exist, is the practical matter, to which I have very recently drawn attention, of union recognition in Turkey. That is very serious, because the present situation is not in accordance with freedom of expression and organisation, and I hope that Mr Rehn will take the matter seriously and inform Turkey that it must come into line. If it does so, that will be regarded as essential progress along the way. As I say, I support Mr Eurlings’ report. Let us now negotiate seriously and with a sense of our historic responsibility."@en1
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