BY FERAI TINC
HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the European Union’s Progress Report on Turkey due out this Wednesday. A summary of her column is as follows:
The European Union is busy making a decision whether or not to start full membership negotiations with Turkey. Its Progress Report on Turkey to be released on Wednesday will show how Ankara could realize its harmonization with the EU this year. A draft version was leaked to the press, but we’ve been overemphasizing its positive points. Brussels says we have certain defects in some fundamental areas. For instance, the report stresses that the government has the political will to harmonize with European norms but also that the reforms’ implementation is being hindered. The main theme is a lack of implementation. It states that there are serious defects in terms of the military’s role in politics and solving the problems of religious minorities.
The following points in the 133-page draft drew my attention:
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Necessary regulations have yet to be made about education and broadcasting in mother tongue languages.
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The judiciary’s process of judgment is very slow. A law on the freedoms of thought and expression should be put into practice in a more effective way.
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Limitations to freedom of association persist. There are 500 human rights trials even now.
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Religious minorities have problems with freedom of religion and the right to own property.
The report contends that upcoming changes to the National Security Council (NSC) won’t suffice to solve the problem of the military’s role in politics. The report also argued that the military’s role in politics is continuing. In addition, the presence of military representatives on two important civilian bodies, the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) and the Higher Education Board (YOK), is among other negative factors. One positive step is that the defense budget was recently opened to Parliament’s approval and control, just like in other European countries.
For me, the key part of the report is its evaluation of our foreign policy. It’s important that the report states that there are developments in Turkish-Greek relations and that Ankara supports solving the Cyprus issue. We must wait for Wednesday to discuss the report in detail.