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EU-Turkey / Focus on Discussions, not on Details |
18 October 2004The co-chairman of the Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission, Joost Lagendijk, gave the Turkish government some advice about what strategy they should follow through December 17th.
At a conference titled Turkey-EU Relations: Opportunities and Problems in the Future, Lagendijk said, Try to get a discussion date in December. Do not make demands on issues that you will not win. He said Turkey should not go to Europe and try to change the Progress Report. The report was presented to the members, not to Turkey, so Turkey should focus on two issues in December. Lagendjik described them as follows: First, a date should be obtained for the start of discussions. If the member countries make a positive decision, then Turkey should ask when. Secondly, I think the member countries should show a clear attitude about the start of discussions. Countries apply for full membership. The member countries should be clearer about this issue. Issues such as the free travel of workers will not be handled in December. They will be debated when the discussions start. Do not make demands on issues that you will not be able to win because, not just France, but all the countries will take their public into consideration. Do not try to change the decisions of the offer.
Turkey should go on making reforms, Lagendijk said, It is necessary for you to show that you will be more democratic and European during the discussions. The European Commission said six months were necessary for the start of discussions. If the member countries say the second half of 2005, I would be pleased. And it should be so. Lagendijk explained that for December 17th, the only ambiguous country was France and that Austria and the Greeks would not cause any problems even if they are unsatisfied.
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18 October 2004
News Agencies
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