European Parliament approves Turkey report, calls for better implementation
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News 02/04/2004 15:56
While adopting Arie Oostlander's report, the European Parliament rejects proposals to recommend a special partnership, rather than full membership, for Turkey
European Parliament adopted a report on Turkey's European Union membership bid on Thursday, praising the EU-inspired reforms but calling for more effective implementation of the regulations. While adopting the reform, the parliamentarians rejected proposals by Christian Democrats for a "special partnership" for Turkey, falling short of full membership.
The report drafted by Dutch rapporteur Arie Oostlander was accepted by a 211-84 vote in Thursday's session.
The Christian Democrat parliamentarian said in the report that the Turkish government has taken brave steps to meet membership criteria, "despite strong opposition" in the country.
Reports approved by the European Parliament do not have binding effect but they are deemed to be significant for reflecting the European public opinion since parliamentarians are elected by popular vote in EU countries.
Turkey's parliament has passed a series of democratic reforms in recent months and strongly expects to get a go-ahead from the European leaders at a summit in Dec. 2004 to start accession talks with the EU.
While many European countries lend support to Turkey's bid to enter the union, European Christian Democrats voice opposition to Turkey's becoming an EU member. The proposal of a "special partnership" instead of a full membership by the Christian Democrats was also placed in Oostlander's report but all of the provisions envisaging the proposal were rejected by the Parliamentarians by a 250-100 vote, disappointing the expectations of European Christian Democrats.
The leader of German Christian Democrats Angela Merkel previously voiced, in her recent visit to Ankara, the proposal of granting Turkey a "special status" that envisages an "enhanced partnership," putting aside Turkey's full membership to the union. The offer was strictly rebuffed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said the proposal was not on their agenda following Erdogan's reaction.
Report calls for a new constitution
The report approved by European Parliament praised the "strong motivation and political will demonstrated by the Justice and Development (AKP) government and by the great majority of the members of Parliament in favor of making reforms that are revolutionary for Turkey," but said that such reforms can only be judged on the basis of how they are put into practice at all levels of the judicial and security system and the civil and military administration.
The report welcomed the constitutional changes laid down in seven "harmonization packages" but said that a new Constitution was probably needed. The fact that "a constitution which carries the seal of the authoritarian regime of 1982 was still in effect in Turkey" was criticized in the report.
"The continuing influence of military in politics, business, culture and education, continuing torture practices and mistreatment, the discrimination of religious minorities," was criticized in the report.
The report urged democratization of institutions like the Higher Education Board (YOK) and Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK), calling for an end to military participation within these institutions.
It was also noted in the report that an amnesty for Leyla Zana and three other former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies should passed and that the government should as soon as possible put a proposal for the abolition of the State Security Courts (DGM) before parliament.
EU should also get prepared for Turkey's membership
While mentioning Turkey's achievements and deficiencies on its way to the EU, the report also said that the EU itself must also be prepared for Turkey's possible accession and a new geo-political situation for the EU.
The report said the EU should carry out a study of the impact of Turkey's joining, including the need to reform the agricultural and structural funds policies. "The EU should have a common security and defense policy with regard to possible new EU external borders and it should do more to support Turkey in the fight against terrorism," it said.
The report noted in the end that it will be up to Turkey to decide whether it wants or will be able to accept the political principles and values of the EU as appropriate for Turkey's state and society.
