The Customs Union To Be Re-opened To Negotiations

BY ZEYNEP GURCANLI
STAR- Eveybody is now talking about ‘negotiations.’ Ankara is waiting for the critical decision to be made by the EU Commission in December on whether to start Turkey’s membership negotiations.
EU Commissioner Verheugen, who recently visited Turkey, gave optimistic messages to Ankara. However, he also underlined that there are still deficiencies in the implementation of the reforms. Among the problem issues that Verheugen underlined during his visit are the socio-economic conditions in the southeastern Anatolia, the condition of woman and ill practices regarding human rights. Therefore, Turkey may get a ‘yes.. but’ in December. Ankara is now wondering what might come after ‘but’.
The negotiations, which will cover 31 main titles, will also include the Customs Union issues. Since Turkey has yet to effectively implement the free movement of services, especially this issue is expected to be discussed during the negotiations. Ankara is planning to re-open certain points to discussion, which damages the Turkish economy. The government has already determined these points and is preparing to discuss them with the European Union.