|
Lagar och konventioner
|
Rapporter|
Svenska
|
Kurdiska
EU-Projekt
SPEECH/06/536
Mr Olli
Rehn
Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enlargement
”Reforms in Turkey - in the first
place it is the interest of the Turkish citizens”
EP debate on Turkey (the
Eurlings report)
Strasbourg, 26 September 2006
President, Honourable Members,
Let me first
thank Mr Eurlings for his report which includes useful elements for the
assessment of Turkey's progress towards accession. I also thank the
members of the AFET Committee for their contribution.
Turkey's
accession is a matter for constant debate. The momentum for reform has
slowed down in Turkey in the past year. I will come back in a moment to
the main reforms Turkey must address as a matter of priority.
However, we
should not lose sight of the progress accomplished in the last decade,
nor of our commitment towards Turkey. The goal of the negotiations
started on 3 October 2005 is full EU membership of Turkey, and by its
nature it is an open-ended process with no automatism.
This
commitment stems from a solid understanding that integrating Turkey to
the EU is of mutual benefit. The EU needs, for its own interest, a
democratic, stable and increasingly prosperous Turkey.
Turkey's strategic
significance was once again illustrated by its decision
to take part in the UNIFIL mission in
Lebanon.
Moreover,
Turkey's economic dynamism, its young population, and its potential key
role as an energy hub will benefit our future prosperity.
For these
reasons, and because Turkey sufficiently respected the political
criteria, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations a
year ago. This decision was widely supported in this Parliament. Progress
in the negotiations, however, does not depend only on progress in the
technical talks, but first and foremost on the pace of reforms on the
ground related to the Copenhagen political criteria.
In the past twelve months, there
has been a lack of progress in this regard. The
expectations have risen since Turkey became a negotiating country on 3
October last year. It is therefore all the more important that
new initiatives are taken and that tangible progress is still achieved
before the Commission will present its report on 8 November.
Freedom of expression is a
cornerstone of the reforms. Journalists, authors, publishers and
human-rights activists still face judiciary proceedings for violations
of article 301 of the penal code on the vague grounds of “insulting
Turkishness”. In July, the final ruling of the Court of Cassation in the
case of Hrant Dink established jurisprudence on the notorious article
301 that violates European standards. Thus, despite the acquittal of
novelist Elif Shafak last week, the freedom of expression remains under
threat. The judiciary proceedings have a chilling effect and damage the
important work carried out by journalists, intellectuals and activists.
I have repeatedly expressed my concern of this, latest to Foreign
Minister Gül last week in New York. It is now high time that Turkey
amends the restrictive articles in the penal code and brings them into
line with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Freedom of expression is indeed a
fundamental human right on which any open society is based, and a
foundation for modernisation, social progress and solving conflicts
between various social groups.
An open and constructive exchange
of views is needed in Turkey, including the most sensitive issues. This
is necessary both for the democratic process in Turkey and for facing
tomorrow's challenges, as well as for Turkey's reconciliation with its
neighbours, including Armenia. Reconciliation is a principle that is
both the origin and the outcome of the European integration project. I
therefore urge Turkey to continue to take concrete steps in this
direction.
Freedom of religion is another
area where tangible progress is needed. The Law on Foundations, which is
currently debated in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, should address
the shortcomings. Restrictions applied to non-Muslim religious groups on
property rights, management of foundations and training of the clergy
must be lifted.
There are also Muslim minorities
that face discrimination. The Alevi, a Muslim community of 15–20
million, face legal restrictions to establish places of worship and
receive no financial support from the state.
Turning to the Southeast, the
spiral of violence undermines positive developments witnessed since the
emergency rule was lifted some years ago. Terrorism is a common enemy:
Turkey and the EU unequivocally condemn the PKK, and I deeply deplore
the loss of innocent lives in the attacks that have taken place
throughout the year.
However, a policy based merely on
security considerations does not suffice to address the problems of this
region. The Southeast faces an aggravated
socio-economic situation, not only due to security threats, but also due
to high unemployment and poverty. Greater effort is also needed
to enhance cultural rights. We expect Turkey to soon adopt, as it has
previously announced, a comprehensive strategy targeting all the needs
of this region – economic, social and cultural needs.
Let me now turn to Turkey's
obligation to respect its commitments. We expect Turkey to fully
implement the Additional Protocol of the Ankara Agreement, and adapt it
to the accession of ten new Member States.
Turkey should remove obstacles to
the free movement of goods, including those on means of transport, which
are in breach of the Association Agreement. Hence, Turkey should open
its ports to vessels under flag of all Member States, including the
Republic of Cyprus. As set out in the Negotiating Framework, the
progress in the negotiations also depends on Turkey meeting its
obligations. Let me once again reiterate that Turkey's obligations under
the Ankara Protocol are not linked to the ending of economic isolation
of the Turkish Cypriot community.
The draft
report rightly calls on the Council to make renewed efforts to reach an
agreement on the trade facilitation regulation concerning the Northern
part of Cyprus. The Commission fully supports the efforts of the Finnish
Presidency to overcome the stalemate on the trade regulation, thus
helping the Council and the EU member states to live up to their
commitments. It is also appropriate to underline the continuation of the
constructive commitment by Turkey in finding a comprehensive settlement
on the Cyprus question, acceptable to both Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots, based upon the principles the EU was founded.
President, Honourable Members,
To conclude: it is our mutual interest that Turkey
pursues its democratic, societal and economic transformation with the
goal of joining the EU. If Turkey succeeds, with our consistent support,
it can become an ever sturdier bridge of civilisations, at a moment when
the relationship between Europe and Islam is the greatest challenge of
our time. Turkey is an important
benchmark in this regard. It matters for our own future.
While the Commission is prepared
to support Turkey along the process, it is ultimately up to Turkey to
carry it forward. The extraordinary parliamentary session convened last
week (19 Sept) to accelerate the adoption of the 9th reform
package is a welcome step. Yet, a more resolute reform process is needed
for Turkey to progress on the path to EU accession. In this process, we
should remember that – as Prime Minister Erdogan suggests – the
Copenhagen political criteria could actually be called the Ankara
criteria, since they are there, in the first place, for the sake of
Turkish citizens, not merely to please the EU.
|
