Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-09-28-Speech-3-009"
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".
Mr President, firstly I should like to warmly welcome the new observers of Parliament from Bulgaria and Romania. I am glad to see that they are participating in the work of this House and I look forward to working with them in the future.
Secondly, the EU expects full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Protocol, including the removal of all obstacles to the free movement of goods, which also extends to restrictions on means of transport. Thirdly, the opening of negotiations on the relevant chapters depends on Turkey’s compliance with its contractual obligations to all Member States; failure to meet these obligations in full will affect the overall progress of the negotiations.
The fourth element of the statement is that the recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accession process; accordingly, the EU underlines the importance of the normalisation of relations between Turkey and all EU Member States, as soon as possible.
Finally, the statement makes it clear that 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 the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the very principles on which the EU is founded, so that a just and lasting settlement will contribute to peace, stability and harmonious relations on the island and in the region in a broader sense.
Right before the start of the accession negotiations, the Council should adopt the negotiating framework proposed by the Commission. This framework forms a solid basis for rigorous and fair negotiations with Turkey. It is the most rigorous framework ever presented by the Commission.
I have read your joint motion for a resolution carefully. I share many of your concerns. I also agree that there is an important link between the pace of negotiations, on the one hand, and the pace of political reforms in Turkey on the other. I shall 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. The human rights situation has improved, but significant efforts are still required. First, let us look at the brighter side. Recently, there have been 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 in Turkey attaches to the economic and social development of south-east Turkey. Moreover, the academic conference on the Armenian issue was finally able to be held in Istanbul last weekend, with the support of the government and despite last-minute attempts to cancel it by an administrative court. These attempts were strongly condemned by Prime Minister Erdogan and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gül. This is a major step forward in seeking the historical truth in Turkey on this very sensitive issue.
Turning now to the darker side, 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 judgments have been made in relation to cases of 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 the author, Orhan Pamuk, is emblematic of the difficulties faced in ensuring effective and uniform implementation of these reforms and also of the struggle between reformers and conservatives in Turkey. The novelist was prosecuted by a district judge in Istanbul under Article 301 of the new penal code for 'denigrating Turkish identity'.
The Commission has already made it very clear that its assessment of the new penal code, in particular the doubtful provisions relating to freedom of expression, will depend on how 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 so as to ensure that freedom of expression is no longer subject to the very particular beliefs of a district judge, but simply follows European standards as we all know them, on the basis of the European Convention of Human Rights.
On these issues the Commission will continue to monitor closely the progress towards fully meeting the Copenhagen political criteria. We shall make a detailed analysis of that progress in our regular report, to be adopted on 9 November.
This debate about Turkey is certainly very timely. We are on the eve of accession negotiations, which will begin next Monday, 3 October, the date unanimously fixed by the European Council. This opens a new phase in EU-Turkey relations.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the European Union has reached a crucial point, the importance of which should not be underestimated. By opening accession negotiations with Turkey, we are taking out a strong option on the pursuit of the political, economic and social transformation of that country. In doing so, we respect our commitments towards it.
I address both to Europeans and, in particular, to Turkey the message that we must build relations founded on mutual confidence. I have confidence that the Turkish Authorities will embark upon this journey with an open mind and that 3 October will provide the opportunity to start afresh. Demonstrating a commitment unburdened by ambiguities and ulterior motives towards Turkey’s transformation into a democratic country with European values will undoubtedly be Turkey’s best chance of winning over the support of public opinion in Europe.
During this forthcoming period, Turkey will have the opportunity to demonstrate that it is serious about integrating European values. Countries that wish to join the Union must, in fact, share our vision of Europe and our concepts of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and solidarity. They must also share our standards whether they relate to society, the environment or industry, among other areas. If it is the case that the European Union is taking a gamble on their future accession, it is because we also believe that it is in our best interests and that it will benefit our fellow citizens. I undertake personally before this House to rigorously enforce our criteria and conditions.
Finally, Mr President, as I said previously, the journey is just as important as the final destination. The reforms count. Although the common goal of the negotiations is membership, such negotiations are, by their very nature, open as far as the outcome is concerned. However, it is in our mutual interest that this process is structured around clear and rigorous principles, such as those provided for in the framework of the negotiations. That is the best guarantee of success.
The reasons which led the European Union to decide to open accession negotiations with Turkey are unchanged: the EU needs a stable, democratic and increasingly prosperous Turkey, at peace with its neighbours, and embracing European values, policies and standards.
The start of the negotiations will give a strong boost to those in Turkey who want to reform the country to meet the European values of the rule of law and human rights; they are also a way for the EU to exert leverage over the direction of these reforms in Turkey.
The conditions set in the December European Council conclusions have been met. First, the six pieces of legislation, including the new penal code identified as necessary by the Commission in last year’s recommendation, entered into force on 1 June. Second, Turkey signed the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement on 29 July.
In this context, I would like to thank the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and rapporteur, Mr Elmar Brok, for putting forward the recommendation to give assent to the conclusion of the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement.
I shall now make some comments on recent developments in this regard. The Commission regrets the fact that Turkey issued a declaration upon signature of the Additional Protocol. This obliged the EU Member States to react and to lay down the obligations we expect Turkey to meet in a statement adopted on 21 September. The EU statement stresses that the declaration by Turkey is unilateral, as Mr Alexander very correctly pointed out. It does not form part of the Protocol and has no legal effect on Turkey’s obligations under the Protocol.
This is the crux of the matter. The legal services of the Council and the Commission agree fully on this point. I am aware that in paragraph 2 of your joint motion for a resolution you intend to ask the Commission to secure an answer from the Turkish Government regarding the ratification process in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
I am at your disposal to further inquire about the exact details of the ratification process in Turkey, but the essence of the matter is really that the declaration by Turkey is simply unilateral. It has no legal effect and it cannot in any way call into question the full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Protocol. That is what counts."@en1
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