Brussels, 09/01/2013 (Agence Europe) -“Renewed engagement” in the process of negotiation on Turkey's accession to the European Union “is more than ever needed” in 2013, said Ria Oomen-Ruijten MEP (EPP, Netherlands) when presenting her report on this issue on Wednesday 9 January. This engagement will only be made possible, however, if both parties are willing to work at it. The assessment that has been made highlights the progress that the positive agenda initiative has enabled - the most important issue being to “make sure that the constructive relationship will be maintained”. In this context Oomen-Ruijten criticised the decision of the Turkish authorities to avoid all contact with the Cypriot Presidency of the EU during the second half of 2012. This marked a “missed opportunity” to normalise relations between Ankara and Nicosia, in her opinion.
Nicosia has now passed the Presidency baton on to Dublin. During the Irish Presidency, Oomen-Ruijten hopes that “some of the blocking in the Council will be lifted. I asked particular attention for the judiciary (chapter 23) and fundamental rights (chapter 24).”
As for the eight chapters that are still blocked by the Council due to disagreements between the member states, Oomen-Ruijten noted that some obstacles to the chapter on regional policy could be lifted, especially on the French side.
As the European Commission had done in October (see EUROPE 10707), the European Parliament calls on Ankara to reach a new constitution quickly and to find a solution to the Kurdish issue. Oomen-Ruijten noted that the main political parties were united and determined to defend the cultural rights of Kurdish citizens. In order to facilitate cooperation with Europol, Ankara should “adopt a data protection law and also legislate on the financing of terrorism”, she said. She also reiterated that the Parliament most firmly condemned the terrorist violence of the PKK.
Oomen-Ruijten calls on Europe to provide a reference framework for the Turkish authorities to be able to accomplish certain reforms. This will enable a clearer roadmap to be established in order to implement these reforms. The EU's role is also to help Turkey on the way to modernisation. Lastly, in the face of the Syrian crisis, it is more important than ever for the international community to support Turkey “in its efforts to cope with the humanitarian dimension of this crisis” and it must therefore agree on how to provide this humanitarian aid. (EL/transl.fl)