Brussels, 16/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - Turkey believes that the conflict in Georgia and instability in the Caucasus confirms and further increases the European Union's political and geostrategic interest of having Turkey admitted as a full EU member. On Monday evening 15 September in Brussels, the Turkish foreign affairs minister, Ali Babacan declared: “Regional conflicts (in the Caucasus) and developments in our common neighbourhood require close cooperation between Turkey and the EU. A European Union that has Turkey among its members could play an important role for world peace, stability and prosperity”. Mr Babacan was addressing the press at the end of a meeting with the EU Troika and added: “The inclusion of Turkey in the future vision of the European Union would be an important strategic component that would strengthen Europe's political and diplomatic power”. The minister explained that Turkey is concerned about developments in the Caucasus and wants to be more directly involved in regional dialogue as a way of finding solutions to the many “frozen conflicts”. To this end, Ankara has suggested the setting up of a “cooperation and stability platform in the Caucasus”. Consultations are taking place with all the countries of the region “that have expressed an interest in taking part in it”, affirmed Mr Babacan. Once these consultations end, the platform will be swiftly implemented. The EU Troika, led on Monday by the French secretary of state for European affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet (on behalf of the French Presidency) welcomed the “very active role” played by Turkey in the management of the conflict in Georgia and in the general effort to consolidate regional dialogue between all the different actors in the Caucasus. Mr Jouyet stated that, “we consider that the Turkish initiative to create a platform on the Caucasus is a significant contribution to stability and security in the region”. He said that in this context, he welcomed the recent visit of the Turkish president, Abdullah Gül to Armenia. Commissioner Olli Rehn also displayed the same satisfaction and welcomed the “positive and constructive diplomatic role” played by Ankara in the Georgian crisis, adding: “This demonstrates that Turkey is of crucial important for the EU in building peace and stability in the neighbourhood and further afield in the Middle East”.
Cyprus. Mr Jouyet welcomed the “new opening” created by the launch of direct negotiations between the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish-Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali Talat, on the island's reunification. Jouyet explained that the EU is hoping that these talks will also lead to “full normalisation” in relations between Cyprus and Turkey. Additionally, he is also asking for progress to be made in settling the different border disputes between Turkey and Greece. Commissioner Olli Rehn provided assurances to negotiators on the Cyprus question that “legal and technical assistance will be provided if it is asked for”. Rehn stressed that it is important for the reunited country that may result from ongoing negotiations, to be able to fully respect its commitments as a member state of the EU. Mr Babacan highlighted the necessity of maintaining negotiations on the Cypriot question at the United Nations and to reach a solution that ultimately creates “two equal states”. He also underlined the importance of the “time factor” and asked for a “deadline, a timetable” to prevent talks getting bogged down.
Reforms in Turkey. The EU troika welcomed the many reforms already begun (Mr Jouyet mentioned reform of the penal code, improvements in the freedom of expression, religion and association, political control of the army) but also “encouraged further effort in all areas” to “protect citizens' rights and freedoms”. Mr Babacan defended the work carried out by the government and parliament which, despite the serious political crisis was able to “adopt 29 legislative texts linked to ongoing reforms during the 2007-08 parliamentary session”, including the law on foundations and reform of Article 301 of the penal code. A national reform programme for 2008-12 is currently being elaborated in consultation with socio-economic actors and civil society. Mr Babacan said that this programme contains “more than 400 legislative approaches” and will form the spinal cord of reform in Turkey.
Accession negotiations. Mr Babacan emphasised that “our aim is quite simply to join the Union” and reaffirmed that “Turkey shares the same values as the EU”. Ankara is hoping that several new negotiation chapters can be opened by the end of the year. Jean-Pierre Jouyet provided assurances that the French presidency of the EU will carry out negotiations with Turkey “in a completely objective, impartial and fair way”, despite the fact that France is against the country joining the EU. He stated: “We want to open new chapters before the end of the year. One, two or three? We will see”. Commissioner Rehn said that at least two chapters should be ready for negotiations (free movement of capital, information society) and possibly a third (energy). (H.B./transl.rh)