MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen writes on Turkey’s EU membership bid. A summary of his column is as follows:
On the long, hard road leading to Turkey’s integration with the EU, another important step will be taken today. Foreign Minister Cem will attend the Partnership Council meeting at the foreign ministers’ level in Brussels and a 23-page report on Turkey will be discussed and most probably approved. The report expresses waxes positive over the recent political and economic reforms made in Turkey. However, it also notes that even though steps have been taken to conform with the Copenhagen criteria, the expected progress on controversial issues such as freedom of expression, Emergency Rule (OHAL) in southeastern Anatolia and the use of Kurdish have not been seen. In the section regarding Cyprus, it is stated that the start of negotiations is a positive development; however it is also put forth that these talks should yield some results by the month of June. In general it is a balanced and objective report. It doesn’t block Turkey’s path, on the contrary it lends hope that accession negotiations can start at the end of this year or the beginning of 2003, if the well-known conditions are fulfilled. During today’s meeting, Foreign Minister Cem will insist on setting the date for accession negotiations by year’s end. The stance of the Partnership Council is important but not decisive. In fact there are other milestones to cross on our way. The decisive development will be the ‘Progress Report’ to be released in October or November. In other words, it is the report which will guide the decision to start negotiations with Turkey. Turkish officials hope that this decision will be finalized at the summit to be held in Copenhagen during Denmark’s term presidency. If not, the issue will rest in the hands of the Greek term presidency in 2003. This would weaken Turkey’s chance to begin accession negotiations with the EU as part of the enlargement process. That is why both Foreign Minister Cem and Deputy Prime Minister Yilmaz are frequently saying that we must not miss the train this year. Notwithstanding all the hesitations and discussions, it is a fact that both the government and the Parliament have taken important strides for political reforms. However, will these be enough for the EU to give a green light to Turkey at the end of the year? Or will it insist that all the EU conditions be met unconditionally? In principle it may be so. However, it should not be forgotten that the issues will be finalized at the end of lengthy discussions and compromises in the EU. If the next seven or eight months are used well, a decision in favor of Turkey’s EU membership could well come true.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION