At reduced speed

There’s growing coldness in relations between the EU and Turkey. The position adopted by the EU Parliament during its plenary of 7-10 March is proof of that. MEPs maintain that the reform process in the huge Eurasiatic country has almost ground to a halt. But even Ankara itself seems to be in no hurry to meet the requirements imposed by the EU. The debate and approval of a resolution on this question took place in a session more than usually preoccupied with developments in North Africa. The preparation of the extraordinary European Council of 11 March led to a heated exchange between MEPs, Cathy Ashton (High Representative for Foreign Policy) and José Manuel Barroso (President of the Commission) – despite the impression expressed by many deputies that the decisions on Libya are being taken elsewhere: in Washington, in NATO headquarters, in London or Berlin, or in the Arab League.Limited progress at Ankara. The rapporteur Rita Oomen Ruijten, Dutch MEP, underlined the “slow progress” made by Turkey in terms of constitutional reform and the improvement of relations with its “neighbours”. In particular she emphasized the shortcomings of Ankara in the defence of fundamental rights and of minorities, the lack of political debate between the various parties, and the continuing bone of contention of relations with Cyprus. The question mark over the role of the army also remains. “An overall constitutional reform is still needed – said Ruijten – to transform Turkey into a real democracy”. But other problems are raised in the document: the condition of women, “the worrying deterioration of press freedom”, the rising rates of honour killings, and “forced marriages”. MEPs further denounce the “limited progress” made in dialogue between the government and the religious communities, including the Christian churches, and especially the little progress made “to ensure their legal protection so that they can own properties, open houses of worship or train clergy”. The text adopted in the chamber was the result of lengthy negotiations among the EP’s political groups, which confirm the different attitudes towards Ankara that are emerging. The resolution does not cite “the common goal of full EU membership” for Turkey, but at the same time it does not accept an amendment which would have preferred to speak of “privileged partnership”, which would in effect have relinquished membership negotiations, however remote such membership may be. The idea of a “long-lasting and open-ended process” leading to Turkey’s final accession remains open, though it should not be taken for granted.Respecting the Copenhagen criteria. The EP on the other hand welcomed “the European Council’s decision to grant Montenegro candidate status and the opening of negotiations” for the country’s eventual EU membership, expressing the hope that the negotiations – still in stand by – may begin some time this year. MEPs nevertheless voiced several concerns, particularly about corruption, organized crime, discrimination and curbs on media freedom. “I regret that the Commission insists on a gap between the granting of candidate status and the opening of negotiations”, said the rapporteur, Charles Tannock (UK). “Montenegro should be judged on the basis of the reforms that it is able to carry out and its compliance with the Copenhagen criteria. The onus is now on Montenegro to meet the EU’s expectations”. “It is essential that these two countries – Turkey and Montenegro – respect all the membership criteria that the EU itself has defined”, stressed Eniko Gyori, Hungarian Secretary of State, on behalf of the rotating presidency of the Union. “But at the same time the EU needs to be far-sighted, and try to understand that a Turkey inserted in the EU is better that a Turkey that is not”. “We need to ensure” that Ankara “does not lose interest and walks away from the EU”. “Of course we are in the midst of a complex process. The situation in Turkey is difficult. While Ankara is for us a strategic partner that must be a friend of Europe, it must nonetheless comply with each of the membership criteria”. A clear message to Montenegro. Gyori added: “We have noted some progress in terms of constitutional reform and relations between government and minorities. But there’s still a long way to go. We may think of women’s rights, press freedom…”. After the vote in the EP, the President Jerzy Buzek expressed his point of view: “We want to support the Turkish people and promote democratization and commitment to an open and pluralist society”. Turkey “has pledged to carry out reforms and maintain good relations with its neighbours” with a view to its “future membership of the Union. Enlargement is a question of shared values and common standards. Turkey needs to intensify its efforts to satisfy the Copenhagen criteria and implement the agreed reforms”. With regard to the resolution on negotiations with Montenegro, Buzek explained: “The EP has sent a clear message to the people of Montenegro, whose place is in the EU. The negotiations must begin as soon as possible”.