Brussels, 08/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - Just as the president of the European Commission had done (EUROPE 9421), Olli Rehn pointed out on Monday to the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee that negotiations with Turkey are being carried out within a clear mandate structure. Commenting on the most recent declarations of the next president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, on Turkey's accession to the EU, the European Commissioner for enlargement stressed that, “the Commission is working with Turkey on the basis of a mandate adopted by the member states at unanimity”. Before his recommendations on behalf of the Commission, “to member states to not take rash decisions”, Rehn affirmed that, “if one of the member states wants to challenge this mandate, it will have to take that initiative itself and assume the consequences”. The Commissioner added that, “the EU needs to be firm with Turkey and keep its word”. Mr Rehn also pointed out that the most important thing before any other enlargement was rethinking the institutional dimension of the EU.
The Commissioner also reaffirmed European prospects for the Western Balkans, including Serbia but said that he was, “concerned” by the lack of “ability of pro-European parties” that have not always succeeded in forming a government. In connection to Kosovo, whose evolution towards a definitive status “is linked to the situation in Serbian”, Rehn affirmed that the, “positions of Belgrade and Pristina on the status of Kosovo”, were diametrically opposed but that, “it was possible to reach an agreement” on other proposals in the UN Special Envoy, Martii Ahtisaari's plan, including protection of minorities. Given that there is no agreement “on a single sentence” in this plan, Mr Rehn pointed out reaffirmed that, “it is essential that the UN Security Council take necessary measures and find a solution” and that the EU spoke with a single voice on this question. (aby)