Cox: European Parliament Will Be Fair And Balanced When Deciding About Turkey

ISTANBUL - European Parliament (EP) President Pat Cox expressed belief on Wednesday that the decision that the new EP would make in December would be fair, balanced and reasonable.
Speaking in a meeting on the Future of the European Union (EU) and Turkey held by Economic Development Foundation (IKV), Cox said that ten new members would join the union in May.
Cox stated that some people in EU were asking if it was too early to have so many new members and to enlarge so much and trying to find the answer to the question about the border of EU and the costs of enlargement.
The same circles were thinking if people from those new members would come to other member countries as immigrants and cause an extra burden on their social system, Cox said.
Cox noted that some Europeans had similar views about not only Turkey but also other countries.
All those questions would also be asked about Turkey, Cox pointed out.
Cox said that nobody should fear about the borders of EU.
A decision would be taken about Turkey in December, Cox stressed.
Cox said that he knew that their leaders were fair and he knew that members of the EP were honest enough.
Stating that there would be a new parliament when a decision would be taken about Turkey, Cox expressed belief that parliament would make a reasonable and balanced decision.
Cox also expressed belief that if they believed in cultural diversity, they would not have to give much from themselves in order to work together.
EP President Cox said that he was faithful to his roots and noted that he was proud of being Irish.
Cox stated that he had a religious education and he was performing rules of his religion.
If a person knew himself and if his roots were strong, then he could be together with other people, Cox said.
Cox noted that they were not asking Turkey to make concessions of its values and beliefs and be part of EU.
Replying to a question, Cox accepted that there could be some double standards related with human rights practices but did not back them.
Cox said that they wanted to see societies in which there were objective, clear human rights and standards.
There could naturally be exceptions, Cox stated.
Cox noted that EP Joint Committee could come to Ankara or Istanbul and that two parliaments could hold an open meeting with participation of non-governmental organizations.
EP President Cox said that their doors were open to people who wanted to be a part of the business world.
Replying to a question, Cox said that when December was approaching, they would have to calculate not only the budgetary costs but also the political costs of decision about Turkey`s membership and they should also consider the results of a decision against Turkey.
Noting that everybody had a history, Cox said that there were dark pages in the history of every country.
Cox stated that they had understood that a Europe in days of Hitler and Mussolini were barbarian and they had relegated those days to the pages of history.
It was impossible for Germany and France to be nothing than friends in today`s Europe, Cox said.
Cox noted that he could not deny dark pages of history of modern Europe and pointed out that countries should be determined not to live those dark days again.
COX: THREE ARE SOME ISSUES TO BE TAKEN UP LIKE TREATMENT IN POLICE STATIONS AND LEGAL REFORM
In democracies, the role of parliaments was sometimes to disturb people, to ask disturbing questions and demand disturbing answers because democracy was not a comfortable chair, Cox said.
Cox stated that democracy was a living means which had a vital importance and said that it was not a fragile glass or a piece of porcelain.
EP President Cox recalled that questions if European Union (EU) was a Christian club were asked in the days when the resolution on Turkey was adopted.
Asking if EU was really a Christian club, Cox said that they asked that question to themselves.
Cox stated that there was Christianity in their history and pointed out that history of countries forming the EU was based on humanism and Christianity.
Despite that, pluralist democracy, respect to minority and human rights, solidarity, sustainability, open market economy, and cultural diversity were common values of everybody, Cox stressed.
Cox said that the above mentioned values were not only the values peculiar to EU.
There were others sharing those values, Cox stated.
Cox noted that Turkey was also among others sharing those values.
Stating that Turkey was not being excluded from sharing those values, Cox said that this was the view of majority of EP.
Cox stated that another reply of the question if EU was a Christian club lay in EU flag and said that the flag symbolized harmony and unity.
Asked if a star would be added to the flag if Turkey became a full member, Cox said that 12-star would not change because there had been 12 stars on the EU flag when the EU consisted of only six members.
Cox stated that those stars were symbolizing a continuous movement and harmony.
Noting that stars on EU flag formed an open circle, Cox said that the circle would be open to everybody who shared the same values with the EU.
Therefore, Cox said, there was never an element of discrimination in that symbol.
Touching on reforms of Turkey on road to EU membership, Cox reiterated his views about implementation and practices.
Cox stressed that they had no doubt about the reforms. But, he said, as long as the reforms were not put into practice, they were not sufficient for membership.
EP President Cox said that they expected Turkey to put into practice those reforms and encouraged Turkey to exert more efforts on this road.
(BRC) 03.03.2004