Turkey was suprised by South East Problem of EU report
In spite of the reactions of Turkey, EU leaders included the expression of “Taking steps regarding the cultural rights in the South East,” in the final document of Brussels Summit on Friday. This new attitude of EU, which used general expressions, such as “human rights problem,” in the previous documents, disturbed Turkey.
Despite the “South East surprise” Turkey was given tangible signals that she might receive a date to commence accession talks at the end of 2004. The following sentence was included in the final communique at the very last moment; There have been considerable developments in Turkey on the way to the commencement of accession talks.
The final communique of the Brussels Summit of EU leaders included one positive and one negative expression regarding Turkey. Whereas it included a signal that Turkey might get a date to start accession negotiations, the communique also mentioned the human rights problems in the South East of Turkey.
At the very last moment, the following sentence was added to the final communique on enlargement; EU encourages Turkey for the continuation of considerable developments that have been accomplished up to now so as to commence accession talks. This expression was perceived as the first tangible signal on getting a date to start accession negotiations.
Fruitless Efforts
Having realized that EU would emphasize cultural rights and macroeconomic inequalities in the South East, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan asked from the term President Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to remove these points from the final communique. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul requested the same thing from EU Commissioner Gunther Verheugen. However these efforts proved to be futile.
On Thursday evening, Gul had said, “The section on Turkey is being tried to be modified. If it remains as such, we will announce that we do not accept it.” EU had used a general expression of “human rights problem” in the past however it for the first time raised the issue of human rights specifically in the South East. The expectations of EU from Turkey concern the following issues:
• Independence of judiciary.
• Fundamental freedoms, such as, of organization, expression, religion, and conscience.
• Keeping military-civilian relations at a level proposed by EU norms.
• Taking steps with regard to the situation and cultural rights in the South East.
• Improvement in macroeconomic field.
Moreover, EU leaders included the positive approach of Turkey towards a solution of the Cyprus issue in the final communique and stated that this attitude of Turkey was pleasing. The communique stated; Settlement of the Cyprus issue would facilitate the expectations of Turkey regarding full membership.
Solidarity against Terror
EU also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul in the final communique. Erdogan, who met British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said that they took a decision to act in cooperation vis-à-vis terrorism. In this respect, Blair will reportedly come to Turkey in six months.
