EU Summit Will not Avoid Turkish Question
A two-day meeting of the European Union opens in Brussels December 14. Though the EU Foreign Ministers already found a compromise on Turkey-EU negotiations, the discussion of that subject will be continued on the level of Prime ministers.
Commenting on EU's decision to halt the negotiations with Turkey on its membership bid German Chancellor Angela Merkhel stated, "I hope the Turkish side will understand: we are not talking about toughening the conditions for Turkey to enter the European Union. We just say: those things, which were not implemented but should be implemented before membership, will have its consequences."
It is worth reminding that the Turkish authorities did not fulfill Brussels's demand to open a port and an airport for the Republic of Cyprus. This step would mean an indirect acknowledgment of the republic by Ankara. In the light of upcoming parliamentary elections in Turkey in 2007 it would mean political death for Erdogan's government. The Turkish Prime minister called Brussels's decision 'too tough', which do not correspond to the level of relations reached by Turkey and the European Union last year. "We were treated unfair, though we performed good will. The split in 'Cypriot problem' will lead to the worsening of bilateral relations. Instead the Greek Cypriots and Greece will win and they use this fact very well," Erdogan stated.
Despite the interruption in negotiations, Ankara declared that the course of reforms necessary to enter the EU will be continued. The European Union welcomed this approach: even those states, which are standing in tough positions on Turkey, are not interested in estrangement of Ankara from Brussels.
At the same time Brussels refuses to mention concrete schedule for Turkey's membership: The European Union needs to 'swallow' the upcoming adjournment of Romania and Bulgaria. And Croatia already stands on the threshold. Up till now, after the negotiations were partially frozen with Ankara, Zagreb occupied the place of number one candidate. Croatia does not hide that wants to become an EU member already in 2009, reports Deutsche Welle.
Commenting on EU's decision to halt the negotiations with Turkey on its membership bid German Chancellor Angela Merkhel stated, "I hope the Turkish side will understand: we are not talking about toughening the conditions for Turkey to enter the European Union. We just say: those things, which were not implemented but should be implemented before membership, will have its consequences."
It is worth reminding that the Turkish authorities did not fulfill Brussels's demand to open a port and an airport for the Republic of Cyprus. This step would mean an indirect acknowledgment of the republic by Ankara. In the light of upcoming parliamentary elections in Turkey in 2007 it would mean political death for Erdogan's government. The Turkish Prime minister called Brussels's decision 'too tough', which do not correspond to the level of relations reached by Turkey and the European Union last year. "We were treated unfair, though we performed good will. The split in 'Cypriot problem' will lead to the worsening of bilateral relations. Instead the Greek Cypriots and Greece will win and they use this fact very well," Erdogan stated.
Despite the interruption in negotiations, Ankara declared that the course of reforms necessary to enter the EU will be continued. The European Union welcomed this approach: even those states, which are standing in tough positions on Turkey, are not interested in estrangement of Ankara from Brussels.
At the same time Brussels refuses to mention concrete schedule for Turkey's membership: The European Union needs to 'swallow' the upcoming adjournment of Romania and Bulgaria. And Croatia already stands on the threshold. Up till now, after the negotiations were partially frozen with Ankara, Zagreb occupied the place of number one candidate. Croatia does not hide that wants to become an EU member already in 2009, reports Deutsche Welle.
