Question of the Week: What line should the EU take on Turkey’s accession bid?

Date: 25/11/04

Ivan Gasporovic is president of the Slovak Republic.

We asked him: What line should the EU take on Turkey's accession bid?

Gasporovic: Turkey has been trying to join the EU for almost 30 years now. I certainly agree with the general view that Turkey at present simply does not meet the membership criteria.

But I also share the view that the Union itself is not ready to receive Turkey as a full member. It is not ready or able to receive Turkey.

I support the idea of starting accession negotiations with Turkey. I agree with the fact that today it is not possible to say when Turkey would become a member of the EU. But it is my conviction that on this issue it is not possible to procrastinate, to put off a very clear and straight answer on the question.

One day the EU will simply face the obligation to say in very clear and certain terms either 'yes' or 'no'. And that would be for the benefit of both parties.

I would not object to offering a special partnership but I don't expect that Turkey would be satisfied with that kind of solution. A solution must be suitable for both parties. If either of the two parties finds the solution unacceptable, the problem remains on the table.

Question answered by Ivan Gasporovic, president of the Slovak Republic.