IKV PRESS RELEASE ON TURKEY’S EU ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS:

THE EU CAN SUPPORT TURKEY’S STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM BY KEEPING THE NEGOTIATIONS AFLOAT RATHER THAN SUSPENDING THEM

The EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in the General Affairs Council on the 13th of December did not adopt a decision to suspend accession negotiations, a step which had been proposed by the Austrian government.  We are pleased that the Council did not follow the example of the European Parliament in proposing a temporary freeze of negotiations. Despite problems in bilateral relations in the recent period, keeping Turkey’s EU perspective alive is valuable for both the EU and Turkey.

The recent atrocious attack in Istanbul resulting in the loss of 44 lives once again showed the ugly face of terrorism. Turkey is facing multiple threats from PKK and ISID terrorism, and undergoing a difficult period of restructuring in the aftermath of a major attack on democracy on July 15.  The threats faced by Turkey are the same threats faced by the EU and Europe will be more secure only if Turkey can overcome such threats and obstacles to its security, stability and democracy with genuine support and solidarity by the EU.

We commend the solidarity shown by EU Officials and diplomatic representatives in condemning the terror attack and honouring the memories of the victims. However, we expect the EU to do more than condemnation and provide support to Turkey and the Turkish people in their struggle against terrorism by strengthening Turkey and EU relations. The surest way to strengthen the relations would be by accelerating the accession negotiations rather than suspending them and contributing to Turkey-EU ties by complementary processes as the modernisation of the customs union and visa liberalisation.

Notes on the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council: “No new chapters considered for opening…”

The General Affairs Council noted in its conclusions that “no new chapters are considered for opening”. It also adds that “[the Council] encourages Turkey to continue its alignment efforts, including stepping up efforts to enforce related legislation”. Thus even though accession negotiations are not suspended, they are not moving forward either.

Taking into account Turkey’s request to open Chapter 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights and Chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security, the opening of which are vetoed by South Cyprus Administration, it should be mentioned that the EU’s approach to Turkey is far from being honest and consistent. On the one hand the EU wishes to support political and economic reforms in Turkey and accelerate the alignment to the EU acquis. On the other hand, it fails to provide an impetus for engaging Turkey into European integration due to the stalemate in the accession process and the lingering of the goal of visa liberalisation.  Both the EU and Turkey should ask themselves the question of how they came from the high point in 2004 when Turkey’s Prime Minister participated in the signing ceremony of the “Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe” as the representative of a future Member State and the EP overwhelmingly voted yes for the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey.