Brussels, 12/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - Reaffirming the importance that they attach to the relationship between the EU and Turkey, the European foreign affairs ministers stated on Tuesday 11 December that “it is in the interest of both parties that accession negotiations regain momentum soon”. They said that Ankara will be able to accelerate the pace of negotiations by advancing in the fulfilment of the conditions of the negotiating framework, and by respecting its contractual obligations towards the EU.
Recalling the need for good neighbourly relations and for avoiding any type of threat or action against an EU member state, the Council said that full, non-discriminatory implementation of the additional protocol to the association agreement would provide “a significant boost” to the accession process, and it repeated its call for progress “without any further delay”. The Council also regretted the freezing of relations under the Cypriot Presidency and hoped that Turkey will support the process to resolve the Cyprus issue.
While highlighting the positive developments in the area of the rule of law, the ministers expressed their growing concern at the lack of substantial progress in fulfilling the political criteria. They call on Turkey to improve its human rights and freedoms on the legislative level and in practice. The ministers also recalled their condemnation of the terrorism on Turkish territory and said that the fight against this phenomenon must be made with due regard for human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law.
The ministers recalled that the EU attaches great importance to the readmission agreement - to its full and effective implementation - and looks forward to its signature, in parallel with the initiation of the dialogue on visa liberalisation.
The Council also hailed progress on the positive agenda. In addition, it stressed Ankara's important role in its neighbourhood, especially with regard to the Syrian crisis, and hailed the intensification of political dialogue between Turkey and the EU. (CG/transl.fl)