Turkey Seeks Solutions for EU Demands

All three issues were included in Turkey’s report which was approved by the European Parliament (EP) for inclusion in the Accession Partnership Document.

Ankara is concerned that a series of negative issues opposed by Turkey may end up in the three documents that will be prepared between now and October 3rd when full membership negotiations officially begin with the EU. During meetings with the European Commission on the negotiations, Ankara expects to face a series of demands born of the Accession Partnership Document, the Framework Text, and the Cultural Dialogue documents including recognition of Cyprus, opening of the Armenian border, and recognition of Alevis and Kurds as "minorities." A Turkish diplomat said Ankara does not want these issues mentioned in the documents and is committed to taking whatever measures are necessary to solve the problem.

Ankara highlights the necessity of preparing a new Accession Partnership Document (APD) that differs from the former APD’s and the change in status brought about by the December 17th summit decision to begin full membership negotiations. Under these circumstances, Brussels was told that the opinions expressed in the APD should not include any new additions, but it seems obvious that a series of new demands will be listed in the APD drafts and that, thus, a hard bargaining process will take place between Ankara and Brussels.

According to reports, the statements included in the "Turkey report" that was accepted by the European Parliament (EP) on December 15, 2004 will also be included in the APD. The final resolution released at the December 17th summit in Brussels stated that the EU Council noted the decision made by the EP on December 15, 2004. As the Parliament asked for an immediate start to full membership negotiations with Turkey, it also made some demands that did not please Ankara. Specifically, the opening of the religious school in Heybeliada and recognition of the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) as the nation of ‘Cyprus’ which represents the whole island will also be included in the APD. The EP, furthermore, pointed out the following points in the Turkey report: "Negotiations should be suspended by the EU Commission when necessary. Turkey should solve its problems with its neighbors in line with the United Nations (UN) convention. Restrictions on ships with Greek Cypriot banderol should be abandoned. Alevism should be recognized and preserved. Alevi houses of worship, also known as Cemevis, should be recognized as religious centers. Religious education should be voluntary. The informal system of guardsmanship in southeastern Anatolia should be abolished. Turkey should open its borders with Armenia and both countries’ governments should support a mutual peace process." It is expected that the EU, which defines Kurds and Alevis as ‘minorities,’ will repeat this in the APD.