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ANKARA: History Of The E.U.

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  • ANKARA: History Of The E.U.

    Turkish Press
    Dec 2 2004

    History Of The E.U.

    BY ULUC GURKAN

    STAR- When can Turkey join the EU? The leaked draft statement
    prepared by EU Term President the Netherlands doesn't answer this
    question. In addition, French daily Liberation wrote, `Turkey can't
    become an EU member before 2015 or 2020.' The EU is giving Turkey a
    process of membership negotiations lasting more than 15 years but
    isn't guaranteeing full membership. It also stated that talks might
    be suspended if human rights violations continue. The approval of
    two-thirds of the 25 EU countries is envisaged to decide on this
    issue. The draft statement doesn't say that Turkey should give up
    full membership and accept a special status. However, it also doesn't
    guarantee that this emphasis on special status won't be added to the
    final document at the Dec. 17 EU summit at France's behest. Actually,
    what's envisaged for Turkey doesn't seem to be full membership. The
    draft statement clearly said that free movement might be permanently
    limited. Obviously, if Turkey becomes a full member, the EU will be
    under some pressure, so such limitations are natural. Likewise, this
    was tried for other new members. However, these limitations can't be
    valid for full members.

    It's understood that during our membership talks process, we will
    face a great many difficult conditions. The most important of these
    are recognizing Greek Cyprus, solving our Aegean disputes in favor of
    Greece, and recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide. Turkey can't
    accept these conditions by insisting on EU membership as our only
    aim. Accepting them would mean giving up being a nation. Turkey
    should be a real negotiator after Dec. 17. The way to ensure this
    isn't resisting all these conditions. Turkey should implement certain
    arrangements which will improve its democracy and respect for human
    rights. In addition, it should begin human-oriented development.
    Claims of bad treatment and torture should end and the use of
    excessive force in the fight against terrorism should stop. Turkey
    should take steps to bring its democracy to world standards on its
    own, not at the EU's insistence. Turkey and Turks have the power and
    experience to integrate advanced democracy with our own national
    values.
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