BY DERYA SAZAK
MILLIYET- With 407 votes in favor and 262 against the report offering full membership to Turkey, the European Parliament yesterday sent a strong message to the 25 European heads of state and government for their decision to give Turkey a date for accession talks tomorrow. It was obvious that after the positive approach by the Socialists, Greens and Liberals in Brussels, there were no obstacles, except the Christian Democrats, to starting our accession talks. In this respect, yesterday’s vote was no surprise. Even if the decision is a symbolic one, the yes votes of 407 MEPs will have a salutary effect on the decision on Turkey tomorrow. The MEP’s rejection of ‘special partnership’ proposals showed strong resolve in the face of EU leaders worrying about public opinion. The statements of EP President Josep Borrell and Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings, author of the motion backing Turkey, indicate the political importance of the decision. The vote points to two things: The EP wants to start our accession talks without delay, and doesn’t favor a ‘plan B’ for Turkey.
EU analyst Tulu Gumustekin, who prepared a report evaluating the attitudes of the Union’s members, seems to be hopeful about the summit. ‘It seems as France and Austria’s job will be difficult as the summit approaches,’ he told me. ‘If Turkey gets what it wants at the summit, an unconditional date for accession talks, if there is no requirement to solve the Cyprus problem before then and if the accession talks aim to our full membership, then it won’t be a surprise for Ankara that the balance in the EU changes in our favor.’ There is also an atmosphere of cautious optimism in Ankara. There’s no doubt that any limitations which would amount to a de facto ‘special partnership’ will also have great importance in the decision to start talks.
There’s also the question of who will carry out the talks and their conditions. Some say that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will lead our side, but there’s also speculation that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political advisor Omer Celik is preparing for the post.