Brussels, 19/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Turkey's EU accession negotiations would seem to be at a halt, following the 49th meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council on Tuesday 19 April. The EU called on Turkey to continue the legislative reforms and to apply the Ankara Protocol on extending the customs union to Cyprus. Currently, only 13 of the 35 chapters have been opened, and only one - research - provisionally closed. In addition, no fewer than 18 chapters have been put on hold: eight suspended since December 2006 because of Turkey's failure to apply the Ankara Protocol, and 10 others halted by various member states for political reasons. There remain only three chapters that can be opened at this point: social and employment policy, public procurement and competition. But progress has to be made.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu did not hide his disappointment and his impatience. “I hope that these Association Councils will end one day and that Turkey will become a full member of the EU”, he said. “Because of the political obstacles which we note, accession negotiations are not moving as quickly as we would want. We would like the process to continue without interruption with a prospect of accession at the end”, he added. Turkey once again raised the issue of the visa regime, which it feels to be “unjust”. Turkey believes it has made progress in enough areas to put an end to procedures, such as biometric passports, the readmission agreement and border management.
Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Baðis noted that Turkey is still waiting in Europe's anti-chamber. It was 45 years ago that Turkey first sought accession to the EU. “If there hadn't been obstacles on 18 chapters, we could have closed another 13 chapters”, Baðis said. “Following the elections in Turkey on 13 June, we will get back to work”, he promised.
Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi reaffirmed that the pace of negotiations depended largely on Turkey's progress in addressing opening and closing benchmarks, in meeting the requirements of the Negotiating Framework, and in respecting its contractual obligations towards the EU. The EU welcomed the constitutional reform package as a step in the right direction.
European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle said that “we will work hard on a code which will make it easier for Turkish citizens to move around within the Schengen area”. (L.C./transl.rt)