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The Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, has called for the EU to agree on a start date for accession talks with Turkey at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in December 2002. The surprise move by Mr Papendreou came just a day after the European Commission said that Turkey is not yet ready to be given such a date.
In its latest annual regular report on enlargement, published on 9 October 2002, the European Commission declared that, despite implementing a number of reforms, Turkey does still not fully meet the political criteria which must be met for accession talks to begin. In particular, it cited a number of limitations on fundamental rights and freedoms and the need to implement the reform package. The main reasons listed are:
- Restrictions on the freedom of expression, including in particular the written press and broadcasting, the freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, freedom of religion and the right to legal redress.
- A number of important issues have yet to be adequately addressed including the fight against torture and ill-treatment, civilian control of the military, the situation of persons imprisoned for expressing non-violent opinions, and compliance with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.
- Many of the reforms require the adoption of regulations or other administrative measures, which should be in line with European standards. To be effective, the reforms will need to be implemented in practice by executive and judicial bodies at different levels throughout the country.
The Turkish government reacted with anger and disappointment to the European Commission's appraisal of Turkey's efforts in preparation for joining the European Union. It criticised the Commission for agreeing to allow ten countries to join in 2004 but refusing to even set a date with Ankara for the start of negotiations. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey had taken every necessary step in terms of democratization and human rights for its full European Union membership, adding that the report's negative tone towards Turkey was completely unfair given Parliament's rapid passage of EU accession laws in summer 2002 and deputy Prime Minister called the progress report an indication of the EU's insincerity. Certain Turkish media have reported that the Turkish government may renege on previous agreements with the EU and the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement on 10 October 2002 questioning the legality of the EU membership process of the Greek Cypriot Administration.
The Cyprus issue has long been a major source of tension between Greece and Turkey, which are also in disagreement over EU plans for a rapid reaction force, and Papendreou's public support for a clear timetable on Turkey's accession to be defined by the end of 2002 has therefore come as a shock to many in Europe. With Greece due to take over the Presidency of the European Union in January, many now expect that Turkey's quest for enlargement will be high on the EU's agenda in 2003.
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| Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs: |
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Homepage |
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| European Sources Online: Financial Times: |
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11.10.02: |
Greece backs Turks' EU call |
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| European Sources Online: In Focus: |
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Turkey: A Future EU Member?, August 2002 |
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| European Sources Online: Topic Guides: |
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Enlargement of the European Union |
Helen Bower
Compiled: Friday, 11 October 2002
The Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, has called for the EU to agree on a start date for accession talks with Turkey at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in December 2002.
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