Brussels, 24/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Considering that EU enlargement policy has “lost its political impetus” to become a “bureaucratic, mechanical and technocratic process”, Greece wants to give a very concrete thrust to Turkey and the Balkans states' ambitions of EU membership by setting target dates for accession. This was announced this week (22 November) by Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas when addressing the European Policy Centre (EPC) in Brussels.
Turkey. In practical terms, Droutsas suggests that an EU-Turkey summit be convened at the end of June or during the autumn of 2011 just after Turkish elections, with a view to adopting a “political statement setting out a 'new roadmap' for Turkish accession”. This would be a work programme setting out the exact obligations that Turkey must comply with to be able to join the EU, together with a timetable and precise deadlines for meeting each of these obligations. The statement should also give “a specific date for Turkey's accession to the EU - assuming, of course, that relevant ratifications are forthcoming from the member states and Turkey”. Droutsas was in Budapest on Wednesday 24 November to discuss this idea with the Hungarian authorities that will be holding the rotating EU presidency during the first half of 2011. He also plans to go to Poland that will be presiding over the EU during the second half of 2011. For the time being, Turkey's membership process is a “theatrical farce”, he said as, instead of being sincere and acknowledging that they have a “problem” with Turkey, some member states have decided to “cut off the oxygen supply” to talks by blocking certain chapters. The biggest problem, however, is caused by Turkey itself as Ankara's refusal to implement the protocol on extending EU-Turkey customs union to Cyprus has led to suspension of a large number of chapters, Droutsas pointed out. “If Turkey really wants to move ahead, it needs to meet all its obligations”, he added. The Greek minister fears that, if Turkey does not act on these dossiers by June 2011 then it “runs the danger that the accession process will be frozen until these situations are resolved”. Greece is in favour of Turkey's accession as long as it meets the criteria for accession, that it abides by international law and that the Cypriot issue is resolved, Droutsas said. He also called on those member states that are openly opposed to Turkey's membership (such as France) or which have shown reticence (such as Germany, Austria and others) to respect the commitments taken when talks were opened with Turkey and not to prejudge the results or change the rules of the game while it is being played. The rule we must abide by says that the road to full accession must remain open”, Droutsas said.
Western Balkans. During the first half of 2014, when Greece takes on the rotating EU presidency, Athens intends to organise an EU-Balkans summit that would adopt a public statement containing a “specific, ambitious-and-yet realistic target for completing the accession process of Western Balkan countries”. Droutsas did not say what date exactly he had in mind but hinted that 2020 might be an ambitious and realistic date. Several member states - “Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Spain and others” - have already said they will support this initiative, he said. The political statement of the 2014 summit should also mention the effort still to be made by these countries and designate member states that will act as “mentors” to accompany candidates in their preparations for accession. (H.B./transl.jl)