Slow human-rights reforms hamper Turkey’s entry bid

Date: 27/04/06

The Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has warned Turkey that its negotiations to join the EU are heading for "a train crash" if there are not substantial reforms to improve its record on the rights of minorities.

The strong rhetoric appears to be having some effect. The Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül recently announced a new wave of reforms inspired by the desire for EU membership.

But it is far from certain that the proposals will satisfy the demands of Rehn and his colleagues.

One crucial part of the proposals, a revised law on the setting up of foundations, EU officials say, is far from ideal. The Commission would like Ankara to make it easier for the country's 0.2% of non-Muslims and others to establish foundations.

But according to one Brussels-based official, "the draft is such that it does not bring any substantial change".

Similarly the proposals do not revise the controversial Article 301 of the Turkish penal code, which has been responsible for prosecutions against dozens of writers and one member of the European Parliament on the grounds that they insulted Turkishness.

Diplomats are now warning that if the reforms fail to meet EU standards then either reforms will have to be attempted again or membership negotiations will be frozen in that area.

But just as the Turkish government is subject to pressure from the EU for reform, so the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is cautious about alienating its supporters.

EU diplomats and those in Turkey favouring EU membership have questioned President Recip Tayyip Erdogan's decision to make contact with the Hamas government and his failure to back the EU's stance on Iran, but both issues play well at home.

Likewise on Cyprus the AKP faces a difficult balancing act between meeting EU demands that Turkey allow Greek Cypriot transporters to use Turkish ports and airports and a public which is fervently opposed to the idea.

France, Denmark, Greece and Cyprus are currently pressing for a continuous assessment to be made, throughout the negotiations, of whether Turkish law in particular sectoral accession negotiation 'chapters' meets the political criteria for EU membership. The presence on that list of two countries which are sceptical about Turkish membership, France and Cyprus, makes Ankara suspicious of their motives.

Turkey faces other procedural obstacles in its negotiations. During a meeting on Wednesday (26 April) EU ambassadors discussed the possibility of setting benchmarks for Turkey before it is invited to submit its negotiating position on education and culture.

The topic is a sensitive one with some EU members pressing for better laws on the non-discrimination in education of women and equal access to schools, before negotiations begin.

The Commission's reports for several other areas where Turkey could face further obstacles are expected soon.

According to diplomats, Turkey may also have to better certain benchmarks before it is invited to submit its negotiating position on public procurement.

For the Commission such benchmarking is a way to ensure that "reforms stick".

"So far, implementation has been uneven," said one official.

Article takes a critical look at a new wave of reforms in Turkey, recently announced by its Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gül, and inspired by the desire for EU membership.
Article is part of a European Voice Special Report, 'EU enlargement'.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Enlargement: Candidate Countries: Turkey https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/turkey_en

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