Ever more distant

The EU and Turkey remain at a distance. The news of gunfights, air raids and kidnapping of soldiers coming from the Iraqi borders only worsens the picture. On November 6 the Commission will take a position on the progress made by Turkey, Croatia and Macedonia towards EU accession. Sweet-sour evaluations are expected for Turkey. In the meantime, on October 22-25 the EU Parliament gathered in Strasbourg for its Plenary Meeting where it discussed relations between Europe and the Euro-Asian peninsula.ANKARA, STEPS FORWARD AND DELAYS. The military operations under way to contrast terrorist acts by the PKK were the subject of much debate. The voting procedures on the specific resolution, filed by Dutch MEP RIA OOMEN-RUIJTEN were focused on the same subject: after having underlined the “positive outcome of recent elections” in Ankara and paid due homage to the new President who “reflects the strength of Turkish democracy”, the document acknowledges the will of Mr. Erdogan’s government to step up the reform process so as to “respond to the commitments defined by the partnership for Turkey’s accession” as well as “Turkey’s government’s resolve to adopt a new civil constitution envisaging the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms.” The resolution however equally points to the reforms’ delay, the incomplete freedom of expression, while the homicides of father Andrea Santoro and of journalist Hrant Dink, along with the killing of three Christians in Malatya and “all acts of violence committed in the name of politics or religion” are “firmly” condemned. A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. The MEPs focused their debate on the various problems related to Turkey: relations with Cyprus and the need to recognize the Republic; relations with the Kurdish minority; the need to “come to terms with its own past” (Armenian genocide). Other MEPs reiterated the lack of fundamental rights and freedoms and the lack of protection to religious minorities. The Oomen-Ruijten Resolution, approved by the voters, equally condemns “the acts of violence by the PKK” and “urges the government to launch a political initiative which will favor a long-term solution of the Kurdish question”. MEPs requested for Turkey “not to violate the Iraqi territory” nor “undertake disproportionate interventions”. In the framework of accession negotiations, the resolution agrees on the opening of discussions on energy, indicating a series of sectors where real progress is expected: reform of the legal system, corruption, respect of individual and social rights, zero tolerance to torture and respect of women’s rights. RELIGIOUS MINORITIES. The approved document affirms that the negotiations under way between Brussels and Ankara’s government represent the “starting point of a process with no time-limits”, while “the full observance of the Copenhagen Criteria remains the basis for accession to the EU along with the Union’s integration capacity”. This implies that Turkey will have to progress in the creation of a stable constitutional State and democracy. It will have to create an open-market economy, safeguard the rights of ethnic minorities and respect religious freedom. In particular, the text requires a clear legal framework “enabling religious minorities to freely practice” their religion, allowing them to own “real estate” and appoint their own clergy. OLLI REHN explained that the “European perspective is proving a key element for reforms in Turkey”, while at the same time the Erdogan government is “called to respect the agreements and to keep faith with its word”. In this case, in its next report the Executive could suggest other two negotiating issues: trans-national networks and consumer protection. THE FUTURE OF SERBIA. The European Parliament addressed also other foreign affairs issues such as the situation in Pakistan along with preliminary work in view of the summit between the EU and Russia scheduled for October 26 in Mafra, Portugal. Green light also to the report of MEP JELKO KACIN from Slovenia who acknowledged “the progress made by Serbia in recent times” as relates to its closer ties with the EU. Mr. Kacin pointed out that “full cooperation with the International Penal Court is the preliminary condition for the signature on the Association Agreement between Belgrade and the EU”. Also in this case the Parliament urges for a “better protection of minorities”, a “legal framework for Kosovo refugees”, “greater commitment in the fight against corruption and guarantees for the freedom of information and expression”. Once these requests are fulfilled, the report affirms that “Serbia’s future will be in the EU”.