Brussels, 21/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - Only a democratic Turkey which respects human rights and individual liberties, based on a secular state and a pluralist society can aspire to become a member of the EU one day, the European Parliament stresses in the report by Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP-ED) adopted on Wednesday 21 May in Strasbourg by a large majority (467 votes in favour, 62 against and 61 abstentions). The MEPs call on the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ensure that, after a rather disappointing year 2007, “2008 is a year of reforms” in all areas. That Turkey cannot afford another “lost year” without real reform was a point emphasised by several MEPs and also Commissioner Olli Rehn during the debate. The report adopted by the EP warns Ankara: “further delays (in the reforms) will seriously affect the pace of negotiations”. The apparent consensus among MEPs on the urgency of reforms in Turkey cannot, however, hide the divergences of opinion which persist as to the strategic objective of relations between the EU and Turkey. While Austrian MEP Hannes Swoboda stressed on Wednesday that, for the socialist group, “the ultimate aim is the accession of Turkey to the Union”, several EPP-ED members - such as French MEP Jacques Toubon and German MEP Werner Lange - appealed for a “more realistic alternative” to simple accession. “Let's stop kidding ourselves. Let's stop telling the Turks everything under the sun. Let's stop making them believe that we are prepared either to accept their accession without truly applying the Copenhagen criteria or to refuse it on the basis of them, when really it is a fundamental issue of what we want the European project to become. On the contrary, let's draw up a sustainable partnership structure which, in a spirit of win-win, will permit Turkey to take on its role of regional power and the EU to pursue the construction of its identity in the world”, Mr Toubon said. The rapporteur herself also asked that the EU pursue accession negotiations “with determination but without hypocrisy”. The representative of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU, Janez Lenarcic, confirmed that two new chapters (company law, intellectual property) will in all probability be opened on 17 June.
The EP report particularly stresses the respect for individual liberties in Turkey, especially freedom of expression. The recent reform of article 301 of the penal code which previously allowed the justice system to sanction attacks on “Turkish identity” constitutes a “first step” in the right direction, but the EP “expects new initiatives in this respect” to guarantee that freedom of expression is genuinely assured, “both in theory and in practice”. The amendment in article 301, adopted on 30 April by the Turkish parliament, “is not satisfactory. There are other articles in the penal code which must be modified”, said Alexander Lambsdorff (ALDE) in the debate. Jan Marinus Wiersma (PES) even urged the “suppression, pure and simple” of article 301. The EP also criticises the “excessive use of force by the Turkish police” at the social demonstrations on 1 May in Istanbul and reiterated that the freedom of association and peaceful actions by trade unionists are fundamental rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. The preparation process, currently ongoing, for a new secular constitution is a “key opportunity” to place the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the heart of the constitution, MEPs say, insisting on the separation of religion and the state. In the course of the debate on Wednesday, several MEPs stressed the need for the Turkish authorities to “defend both democracy and secularism”.
MEPs are also “concerned” about the implications of the dissolution of the AKP party case. “The European Parliament expects the Turkish Constitutional Court to respect the principles of the rule of law, European standards and the Venice Commission guidelines on the prohibition of political parties”, the adopted report says. The Turkish parliament is also urged to bring the constitution into line with the standards on the prohibition of political parties.
On the subject of the Kurdish issue, the EP demands that Ankara launch rapidly a political initiative aimed at a “sustainable solution” which, in MEPs' view, can only be based on tangible cultural, economic and social improvements offered to citizens of Kurdish origin.
On relations between Turkey and Cyprus, the EP urges Ankara to apply “fully and without delay” the provisions of the EU-Turkey association agreement vis-à-vis all the member states of the EU, including Cyprus (Ed: currently, Ankara is still refusing to open its ports and airport to Cypriot operators). The non-respect of Turkey's commitments “will continue to seriously affect the process of negotiations”, the EP warns. On the division of Cyprus, the EP urges leaders from the two communities to achieve the reunification of the island within the framework of the UN. The withdrawal of Turkish forces from the northern part of Cyprus would facilitate negotiations of a settlement, MEPs say. (H.B.)