European policymakers to release a report "Turkey in Europe: Breaking the Vicious Circle"

PanARMENIAN.Net - A group of distinguished European policymakers have pointed to both domestic circles aiming to topple the government and certain European Union member nations that object to Turkey's full EU membership as being responsible for a "vicious circle" in relations between the EU and EU-candidate Turkey, TurrkishNY reports.



The Independent Commission on Turkey is made up of former heads of state and government, foreign ministers and European commissioners and other Europeans who have previously held high positions in public office. The commission aims to examine the challenges and opportunities presented by Turkey's possible membership in the EU. Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland, is the chairman of the commission, and Albert Rohan, Austria's former secretary-general of foreign affairs, is rapporteur. The group is scheduled to release a report titled "Turkey in Europe: Breaking the Vicious Circle" in Brussels today. The commission calls on European governments to stand behind promises made to Turkey by acting fairly vis-à-vis Turkey's membership process, while urging the Turkish government to revive the reform process, including the prospect of drafting a new constitution that would expand freedoms and rights.



"Plans for toppling the government, the court case opened for closing down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the military's open threat to intervene in politics," are listed in the report as internal reasons leading to a slowdown in the reform process related to the EU membership drive.



The Independent Commission on Turkey refutes claims that Turkey faces a threat against its secular system, noting that no political elements argue for the establishment of a state based on Islamic principles. A strong connection with the EU would be the best protection for the secular system in Turkey, it adds.