Brussels, 07/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - The press advisor from the Turkish Embassy to the European Union noted in an information note released last Friday the view of Ankara over the arrangements put in place so as to ensure talks between EU and NATO on the development of European Security and Defence policy while recalling the objectives expressed by the Turkish government over the Feira Summit decisions in the position taken last June (see EUROPE of 24 June, p.3).
In the meantime, four ad hoc working groups have been established by the EU (for the subject of their first meeting, see EUROPE of 2 August, pages 2 and 3) and, following "lengthy and arduous debates in the relevant NATO fora", the North Atlantic Council adopted on 17 July arrangements on this issue, adds the note, which underlines that, during these deliberations, the views of Turkey were clearly expressed "at every opportunity, with a view of having them reflected in the Council decision". Turkey adds that it had accepted the NATO Council decision "so as to avoid a division within the alliance" and to "ensure cooperation between NATO and the EU for the development of CESDP", and that it had acted "with an awareness of its responsibilities as a candidate country for access to the EU". This process will be closely followed thanks to an "active participation", underlines the note, while believing that "it would be possible to carry out the necessary work at the ad-hoc groups with the aim of improving the EU position with regard to the participation on non-EU European Allies in the CESDP, including its security and crisis management aspects". "We hope that the proposals which will be elaborated could serve to ameliorate the EU arrangements art the Nice Summit", reiterated Turkey, which underlined "It goes without saying that there will be no automatic access by EU to NATO assets and capabilities and that any new request will have to be considered by the members of the Council (NATO) including Turkey".