Netherlands Transfers Draft to Turkish FM

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said his Dutch counterpart, Ben Bot, presented him with the document. Gul says it has significant deficiencies that will be addressed in a series of studies in the upcoming term. He expects that many changes will be made to the document before it is finalized.

After a meeting of foreign ministers at The Hague regarding the Europe Mediterranean (Euromed)/Barcelona Process, the Turkish Minister clarified concerns about the draft that were leaked to the press. He said that the document that was given to him is a draft and that it will certainly be altered. "[The EU] wants the views of members with different perspectives to look at the issues and they wanted our views within this context. We will respond fully. These studies will proceed via a specific process. There are many things to be taken care of before the Summit", Gul elaborated.

Diplomatic sources say the deficiencies in the draft are significant and should certainly be altered. Several intensive meetings will take place to develop the document including the Permanent Representatives meeting December 1-4 and the Foreign Ministers meeting on December 13th to incorporate Turkish and EU member viewpoints. A referral to the Copenhagen and Helsinki Summit and Turkey’s full membership perspective in the document is a positive sign for Turkey, but there are some points that need clarification. Intense diplomatic activity is therefore expected among Ankara, Brussels, The Hague and other EU capitals.