BRUSSELS - European Parliament's (EP) second largest group, the Socialists, proposed Wednesday the EP to give a key role to Turkey in the Black Sea and Mediterranean Unions.
Deputy Chairmen of the group Hannes Swoboda and Jan Marinus Wiersman, held a press conference in Brussels and introduced their proposal suggesting the "Eastern Partnership" project (covering Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia and Azerbaijan) to be changed as "the Black Sea Union" with the inclusion of Turkey and Russia.
Swoboda said that the EU would not be able to solve any of its issues without giving a key role to Turkey.
"Which of its problems can the EU solve without Turkey? Can it secure the energy resources, or diversify its energy supplies? Can it solve the immigration problem, clean the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, protect the regional security and stability? Or solve the Syria-Israel dispute? Or establish dialogue with Islamic states or solve the integration problems of the Muslim population in Europe?" Swoboda said.
Swoboda said they were fully supporting Turkey's EU bid and pointed out that their proposal was not an offer for privileged partnership.
"We did not offer the Black Sea union as an alternative to the Mediterranean Union. Poland and Sweeden's 'Eastern Partnership project' is positive, but it is incomplete as it does not include Russia and Turkey," said Swoboda.
Also speaking at the press conference, Wiersman said if Turkey could prove how important it was for the EU by playing a key role in the the Black Sea and Mediterranean Unions, it would be easier for it to convince the circles who were against Turkey's EU membership in certain EU member states.
"Then we can say to our people: 'Look, Turkey is providing energy security for us, it is solving the illegal immigration problem for us, and mediating for the solution of the problems at our borders.' Then it will be much easier to convince our people for Turkey's membership," said Wiersman.
He said Romania, Bulgaria and Greece extended firm support to their project while Turkey and Russia showed positive reaction.
With this project, Wiersman and Swoboda are proposing a change in the Enlargement Strategy report which will be put to vote at the EP.
(OZG-AÖ)
DIP