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Turkey: EU Reports Pave Way For Qualified Approval Of Entry Talks

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  • Turkey: EU Reports Pave Way For Qualified Approval Of Entry Talks

    Turkey: EU Reports Pave Way For Qualified Approval Of Entry Talks

    By Ahto Lobjakas, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

    Two draft reports prepared by the European Commission, seen by RFE/RL,
    suggest the commission will on 6 October recommend that the EU set a
    date at its December summit for the start of accession talks with
    Turkey -- subject, however, to stringent conditions. The reports
    praise Turkey for its recent raft of democratic reforms, but identify
    shortcomings. They also note that the accession of Turkey would
    present significant challenges to the EU's existing policies.
    Commission officials, speaking privately, say a positive decision is
    virtually guaranteed, but it is likely to be accompanied by numerous
    specific conditions.

    Brussels, 1 October 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Some form of go-ahead next week
    by the European Commission for Turkish entry talks now appears a
    foregone conclusion.

    However, two draft progress reports prepared by the European
    Commission suggest that uncertainties abound, and that any decision is
    likely to come with extensive conditions and qualifications attached
    to allow more skeptical member states to support it.

    The European Commission's annual progress report on Turkey praises
    democratic reforms undertaken since 1999 and accelerated in the past
    two years. However, it does not clearly say Turkey now meets the
    so-called Copenhagen entry criteria dealing with democracy, the rule
    of law, and human rights. Instead, a number of areas are identified
    where Turkey is clearly at odds with what are described as "modern"
    European standards.

    Thus, the recognition that constitutional reforms have shifted the
    balance of civil-military relations toward civilians comes with the
    caveat that conflicting legal provisions allow the military to
    continue to enjoy a degree of autonomy.

    Turkey's new Penal Code, adopted a few days ago, receives wide praise
    for abolishing the death penalty and enshrining women's rights.

    The Penal Code also outlaws torture. The report notes there was a
    marked decline in reported instances of torture in 2004 as compared
    with 2003. However, an increase in claims of torture was recorded
    outside of formal detention centers.

    An EU fact-finding mission returned from Turkey last month and
    concluded that Ankara is seriously pursuing its policy of zero
    tolerance on torture. Again, however, the mission reported that
    "numerous cases" of torture and ill treatment of detainees still
    occur.

    Similar conclusions are evident in other key judgments. Reforms are
    praised, but continued contrary practices are noted.

    Thus, the report says there have been a significant number of cases
    where nonviolent expression of opinion is still prosecuted and
    punished. Books were still being banned and writers put on trial in
    2003.

    In the field of human rights and the protection of minorities, the
    report recognizes the introduction of two constitutional reforms and
    eight legislative-reform packages since 1999. Turkey has adopted a
    number of human rights treaties since 1999. It executes some judgments
    of the European Court of Human Rights, but -- again -- not others.

    Human-rights-monitoring bodies have been set up, as have specialist
    training programs at the the Interior and Justice ministries, as well
    as police. However, implementation of human rights reforms is said
    not to be uniform across the country.

    Turkey is criticized for not having signed the Framework Convention
    for the Protection of National Minorities. It receives praise for
    having allowed TVand radio broadcasts in minority languages, such as
    Kurdish, Arabic, Bosnian, and Circassian. However, it is noted that
    harsh restrictions exist limiting their length.

    The report notes that Turkey constitutionally guarantees the freedom
    of religion, but adds that non-Muslim communities continue to
    encounter difficulties. Thus, Christians are said to occasionally
    still be subject to police surveillance.

    The second report analyzes the potential impact of Turkish membership
    on the EU. It proceeds from the assumption that Turkey would not join
    before 2014. That date marks the start of the new EU multiannual
    budget cycle.

    The assessment appears to be that most of the EU's current policies --
    above all, farm support and regional aid -- will need to be radically
    rethought so that they do not prove ruinously costly.

    The study says a Turkish accession would be different from all
    previous enlargements because of the country's population, size, and
    geographical location.

    The annual cost of farm support to Turkey is estimated to top 11
    billion euros ($13.6 billion) ΓΆβ=82¬` or more than 10 percent of the
    EU's current budget.

    Long transitional periods are predicted for the free movement of
    workers, and a potentially permanent "safeguard" measure may become
    necessary to allow other EU member states to lock out Turkish labor if
    their markets suffer ill effects.

    Another major challenge is said to be the future management of the
    bloc's external borders, as well as dealing with migration and asylum
    issues once Turkey joins. Fighting organized crime, terrorism, and the
    trafficking of human beings, drugs, and arms will also present
    significant new challenges for the EU.

    Turkey's membership in the visa-free Schengen area is said not to be a
    "short-term" prospect after accession. This means that border controls
    would remain in place.

    Opportunities for the EU could arise in the form of heightened
    security for the bloc's energy supplies. Turkey would provide direct
    links to the Caspian countries, as well as the Persian Gulf.

    The clearest positive potential for the EU emerges in the field of
    foreign policy. As a country with a Muslim majority and a strategic
    position, Turkey could valuably enhance the EU's role in the wider
    Middle East. It could also serve as an important model for reform.

    However, the report says that, in practical terms, Turkish and EU
    policies are still often at variance regarding Iraq, the Caucasus, and
    relations with the Muslim world.

    Turkey could also become a channel for stabilizing EU influence in the
    South Caucasus. Much is said to depend on Turkey's willingness,
    though. In particular relations with Armenia will need to improve. The
    study says reconciliation must be achieved over the mass killings of
    Armenians in 1915 and 1916, which are widely called genocide. Turkey
    must also contribute to the easing of tensions in the dispute between
    Armenia and Azerbaijan concerning Nagorno-Karabakh.

    The study says Turkey could also help the EU to stabilize Central
    Asia.
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