Brussels, 26/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is proposing to the Council that EUR 1.05 billion is given to Turkey in aid over the next three years in order to fulfil the conditions necessary for beginning negotiations for the country's accession to the European Union. This aid was announced by the Commission on Wednesday in support of its proposal for revising Turkey's pre-accession strategy, which it is submitting to the Council. Nevertheless, the aid will not be granted if Turkey does not continue with its reforms. In presenting the report, Commissioner Verheugen "drew attention" to the political criteria and persistent shortcomings in the fight against torture, cultural rights, freedom of opinion and religious freedom. It is at this "dawn" that the Commission will adopt, at the end of 2004, its opinion on the launching of accession negotiations with Turkey. The Enlargement Commissioner declared that he was optimistic about the "determination of the current government and the reforms already being carried out" and the difficult task to be successfully concluded.
The document in itself does not refer to the war in Iraq and the temptation for the Turks to enter Iraqi Kurdistan. But in presenting the report, Commissioner Verheugen warned that any incursion, however limited, by Turkey in Iraq would have, "serious consequences on relations between the EU and Turkey" and would be taken into account in the Commission's opinion on launching negotiations. The Commission believes that this new document should "encourage supporters of reform to continue" and that the crisis in Turkey should not be used as an excuse to halt reforms.
As in the initial version of the accession partnership adopted two years ago, the first political conditions is "firm" support for the United Nations' attempts to find an overall solution to the Cypriot problem. Commissioner Verheugen referred to a meeting with Turkey on this issue, probably when the war ends in Iraq. Günter Verhegen also insisted on the need to frame the role of the army. "Events of recent weeks have shown that the role of the army in Turkey is different to that played in Member States" and that it was necessary for the Parliament and government to control the army not the reverse. Included in the political objectives that have to be achieved in the "short term" are the end to discrimination, freedom of expression and association, the strengthening of independence and the efficiency of the judicial system. The Commission has taken into account the reforms undertaken sine last summer. Contrary to the accession partnership adopted in 2001, the document proposed does not mention the abolition of the death penalty or the authorisation for radio and television broadcasts in Kurdish - these decisions were taken by the new government.
The document also underlines a very long list of measures that Turkey has to take to fulfil the economic criteria, as well as for the implementation of the Community Acquis in all areas.
The Commission proposes that Turkey gets EUR 250 million in 2004, 300 in 2005 and 500 in 2006. These amounts will be allocated every year depending on the progress accomplished. 30% of this aid will be used to strengthen the institutions and 70% will be investment aid.