Brussels, 04/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Union responded cautiously to Sunday's Parliamentary elections in turkey. The Head of the victorious Justice and Development Party (AKP) gave assurances to the international community of its commitment to continued European and economic reforms.
On Monday, the European Commission emphasised that above all, it expected the AKP to put its pro-European declarations into practice. Eluding questions concerning the Islamic roots of the party, spokespersons, for the Commission aid the government would be judged on the different action it takes and not necessarily on the particular direction it chose to go in. They explained that they weren't in the business of sticking on labels but rather in judging the government on what it did. They also stated that it was not the time for worry but rather the moment for hope. Faced with accusations that the EU was an exclusively "Christian club", a spokesperson for President Prodi said that they had recognised the Turkey's candidature in the perspective that the country would one day be an EU member.
In a written declaration, the European Commission "is recognising the results of the elections" and is ready to co-operate with the new government. It also stated that it was taking note of the fact that the two parties to be represented at the national assembly clearly indicated that they intended to carry out pro-European policies. The Commission is waiting for Turkey to confirm its commitments to reforms for meeting the European Union accession criteria and would continue to monitor this progress closely, especially action, which it had already begun. The Commission has not formally congratulated the election winners, which is usually the custom, because the government has not yet been chosen, explained a spokesperson for Mr Prodi.
The Danish Foreign Affairs Minister, Per Stig Moller also issued a cautious declaration that began by indicating that the results had not been officially announced but that it appeared clear that the AKP and the CHP would be part of the next Parliament. The President of the EU Council noted that the AKP would have a "clear majority" and that it would be worth stressing that the two parties support the continuation of the reform process and Turkey's integration into the EU". Mr Moller pointed out that in six weeks time, the European Council of Copenhagen would decide on the next stage of Turkey's accession candidature.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Javier Solana, has congratulated the new winners and has also sent his best wishes to the former administration for what they had achieved. "the European Union has a long tradition of partnership with Turkey. We will certainly be working with the future government on a number of important issues in the same constructive spirit," he declared.
Elmar Brok (CDU) President of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the European Parliament, believes that Turkey cannot have a date given to it (for the opening of accession negotiations) at the Copenhagen Summit. Mr Brok explained that the new Turkish administration would need to implement the reforms decided on last year. In his report on Turkey published on 9 October, the Commission also though that Turkey had not yet fulfilled the political criteria sufficiently for the Member States to arrange a date for opening accession negotiations at Copenhagen.
AKP leader, Ecep Tayyip Erdogan, declared on Monday that he would try and speed up the EU accession process and respect the IMF safeguard plan. Mr Erdogan can't take his seat in the assembly because he had previously been convicted of having read a pro-Islamic poem in public. According to the most recent forecasts, the AKP can count on a little less than the two thirds majority necessary for reforming the Constitution. The Republican People's Party (RPP) is the only other party to have got more than 10% and will have "special responsibility", according to its leader, Deniz Baykal, who will provide a "constructive opposition".
The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (Tüsiad) is pleased that the AKP has declared that it is pro-market and pro-European. It is calling on the future government to ""meticulously follow" the founding principles of the Turkish Republic and democracy. On the economic level, it hopes that the government will take "courageous decisions" that its majority confers upon it. The Tusiad has called on the AKP to always bear in mind that the overwhelming majority (80%) of Turkish society considers that EU membership t be an ultimate target"