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Journal of Turkish Weekly
Aug 29 2005
Germany vs. France Over Turkey's Membership
Schroder Fully Supports Turkey's EU Membership While the French
President Turns to Skeptical
* German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder gives support to Turkey's
European Union membership. Schroder said `Turkey has kept her all
promises and now it is the EU's turn to honor its promises. Schroder
also argued that Turkey is vital for the EU's security. Gerhard
Chroder claimed that Turkey's membership to the EU was a historical
chance for the EU and for Germany and Germany must continue its
existing European vision.
* Mr. Schroeder has assured Turkey that talks on its entry into the
European Union will begin on Oct. 3 as planned
* Turkey has critical significance in terms of European Union (EU)
security, Mr. Schroeder has said. To have Turkey as an ally is very
significant for European security as Iran prepares to produce nuclear
bomb, Schroeder said in Hamburg where he went for his election
campaign. Germany pursues realistic policies instead of populist
polices about Turkey's EU bid, the German Chancellor said, calling on
his electoral college not to believe those who seek to portray Turkey
as a threat.
* German CDU's leader Merkel wrote a letter to conservative European
leaders recently asking them to block Turkey from becoming a full
member of the European bloc.
Jan SOYKOK (BERLIN, JTW and News Agencies) Schroeder said `Europe
cannot develop without Turkey. Think about nuclear debates with Iran,
Afghanistan, Pakistan-India Problem, Southern Caucasus. All these
regions are very sensitive and problematic... Turkey's membership will
be vital for the EU's security. A Turkey which adapts Western values
and rejects the fundamentalist approaches would be a gain for the
EU.' Schroder further urged the German voters not to listen to the
Turkey-skeptic politicians.
SCHRODER: EU'S TURN TO HONOUR ITS PROMISE
Talking to Turkish reporters in Berlin, German Chancellor Gerhard
Schröder has pledged that he and his party will do his best to back
Turkey's EU bid, adding that Turkey has travelled a long distance
since December 17, 2004 - when a date for the opening of accession
talks was officially given by the EU. `Turkey has fulfilled all its
promises,' Schröder said, `Now it is time we honor ours.'
Schröder also pointed out that the negotiation period will not be
easy task:
`It goes without saying that the negotiation will take a long time,
and both parties can bring it to a halt if they want to. Therefore
there is no reason either of the parties should be afraid.'
When asked about the allegation that he has "silenced" his backing
for Turkey's membership fearing it might damage his party in the
upcoming elections, Schroder was vehement:
`I do not know where people are getting these ideas - I have not
reconsidered my stance on Turkey's membership. The negotiation talks
will start on October 3.'
Schröder said the Turkey's inclusion to the union will not only be an
economical benefit but also a highly strategic one. `It is important
that Turkey, as a Muslim country, advocates for European values in
the region, which has less that its fair share of stability. This is
a win-win situation for both parties.'
On another note, Schröder has revealed that the German government is
about to allocate a 200m fund to training courses which will aim at
integrating immigrant (mostly Turkish) people into the society.
TURKEY SCEPTICS ATTACK TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TALKS
On the other hand, two of European Union's (EU) leading politicians,
The French President, Jacques Chirac and The leader of Germany's
centre-right Christian Democrats Angela Merkel, have voiced fresh
concern about the EU's plan to start entry talks with Turkey on 3
October.
France's Chirac, said Turkey's position on Cyprus "poses political
and legal problems". Turkey refuses to recognise the Greek Cyprus as
the only legal government of the island. According to Turkey Cyprus
problem should be solved before any recognition. The EU leaders,
including Chirac, had accepted that Turkey could start the talks
without recognition of the Greek Cyprus. Greece's Prime Minister
Karamanlis announced two weeks ago that Greece was not sure about the
French politicians' sincerity on Cyprus issue. Cyprus issue is a very
hot issue in French domestic politics.
Last month, Turkey signed an accord extending its customs agreement
with the EU to the 10 new EU states, including Cyprus. But it said
that doing so did not imply that it recognized the government in
Nicosia, Southern Cyprus. There are two governments on the island,
Turkish and Greek Governments. However the Greek side does not
recognise Turkish Cypriots and blame them of occupying the Northern
Cyprus. The Turkish side strongly supported the UN Annan Peace Plan
in 2004 referendum while the Greek Cypriots rejected it. After the
referendum the EU and the US promised to end the economic and
political isolation over the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Despite of all these promises no concrete step has been taken by the
EU. The Greek side was accepted as full member to the EU though the
border issues were still there.
Mr Chirac, who has previously backed Turkey's EU candidacy, says he
wants EU foreign ministers to discuss Turkey's position on Cyprus
when they meet in Wales next week. At a meeting in Paris, he told the
President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, that
Turkey's refusal to recognise Cyprus was not in the spirit expected
of a candidate state. Turkey accuses Chirac of not keeping his words.
According to the Turkish media Mr. Chirac sacrificing Turkish
membership to the domestic politics. Dr. Nilgun Gulcan from ISRO says
`They first abused Armenian issue. They argued that the events
so-called happened almost a century ago are the most formidable
obstacle before Turkey's membership. Then now they abuses the Cyprus
issue. They do not remember their words. They do not care the future
of Europe. Couple of politicians danger security of Europe and
stability of the region around Turkey.'
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has also said it is
"inconceivable" to open membership talks with a country that does not
recognise all 25 EU member states. Turkey on the other hand says
recognition is not the problem. One of the Turkish diplomat told the
JTW that Turkey is ready to recognise the Greek Government as the
representative of the Greek Cypriots. `However the EU totally ignores
the Turkish Cypriots on the island. They ignore the TRNC. They ignore
the border problems. And most importantly the Turkish Cypriots
supported the UN Peace Plan, they supported the re-unification while
the Greek side undermined the possibility of a re-unification. The
Greek side wants a Turk-free island. If Turkish and Greek Cypriots
aggred on a solution, Turkey of course will recognise the both sides'
he added.
GERMAN TURKEY SCEPTICS
The favorite to win Germany's general election next month, Angela
Merkel, also urged caution on Turkey's EU membership. Merkel had
clearly declared that she and her party are against Turkey's
full-membership to the EU. Merkel, the leader of Germany's
centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), wrote to 11 European leaders,
advising them to offer Turkey a `privileged partnership' with the EU
instead of full membership. However Merkel has not fully explained
the `privileged membership'. Turkey has Customs Union and Turkish and
EU laws in almost all areas are the same. Turkey argues that Turkey
is already a privileged member of the EU.
Merkel in her letter argued that Turkey's membership would strain the
EU politically, economically and socially, and endanger the European
integration process. Recipients of Merkel's letter included Austrian
Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, French Prime Ministers Dominique de
Villepin, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Dutch Prime
Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude
Juncker and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the current EU council
president, as well as European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso.
Aug 29 2005
Germany vs. France Over Turkey's Membership
Schroder Fully Supports Turkey's EU Membership While the French
President Turns to Skeptical
* German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder gives support to Turkey's
European Union membership. Schroder said `Turkey has kept her all
promises and now it is the EU's turn to honor its promises. Schroder
also argued that Turkey is vital for the EU's security. Gerhard
Chroder claimed that Turkey's membership to the EU was a historical
chance for the EU and for Germany and Germany must continue its
existing European vision.
* Mr. Schroeder has assured Turkey that talks on its entry into the
European Union will begin on Oct. 3 as planned
* Turkey has critical significance in terms of European Union (EU)
security, Mr. Schroeder has said. To have Turkey as an ally is very
significant for European security as Iran prepares to produce nuclear
bomb, Schroeder said in Hamburg where he went for his election
campaign. Germany pursues realistic policies instead of populist
polices about Turkey's EU bid, the German Chancellor said, calling on
his electoral college not to believe those who seek to portray Turkey
as a threat.
* German CDU's leader Merkel wrote a letter to conservative European
leaders recently asking them to block Turkey from becoming a full
member of the European bloc.
Jan SOYKOK (BERLIN, JTW and News Agencies) Schroeder said `Europe
cannot develop without Turkey. Think about nuclear debates with Iran,
Afghanistan, Pakistan-India Problem, Southern Caucasus. All these
regions are very sensitive and problematic... Turkey's membership will
be vital for the EU's security. A Turkey which adapts Western values
and rejects the fundamentalist approaches would be a gain for the
EU.' Schroder further urged the German voters not to listen to the
Turkey-skeptic politicians.
SCHRODER: EU'S TURN TO HONOUR ITS PROMISE
Talking to Turkish reporters in Berlin, German Chancellor Gerhard
Schröder has pledged that he and his party will do his best to back
Turkey's EU bid, adding that Turkey has travelled a long distance
since December 17, 2004 - when a date for the opening of accession
talks was officially given by the EU. `Turkey has fulfilled all its
promises,' Schröder said, `Now it is time we honor ours.'
Schröder also pointed out that the negotiation period will not be
easy task:
`It goes without saying that the negotiation will take a long time,
and both parties can bring it to a halt if they want to. Therefore
there is no reason either of the parties should be afraid.'
When asked about the allegation that he has "silenced" his backing
for Turkey's membership fearing it might damage his party in the
upcoming elections, Schroder was vehement:
`I do not know where people are getting these ideas - I have not
reconsidered my stance on Turkey's membership. The negotiation talks
will start on October 3.'
Schröder said the Turkey's inclusion to the union will not only be an
economical benefit but also a highly strategic one. `It is important
that Turkey, as a Muslim country, advocates for European values in
the region, which has less that its fair share of stability. This is
a win-win situation for both parties.'
On another note, Schröder has revealed that the German government is
about to allocate a 200m fund to training courses which will aim at
integrating immigrant (mostly Turkish) people into the society.
TURKEY SCEPTICS ATTACK TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TALKS
On the other hand, two of European Union's (EU) leading politicians,
The French President, Jacques Chirac and The leader of Germany's
centre-right Christian Democrats Angela Merkel, have voiced fresh
concern about the EU's plan to start entry talks with Turkey on 3
October.
France's Chirac, said Turkey's position on Cyprus "poses political
and legal problems". Turkey refuses to recognise the Greek Cyprus as
the only legal government of the island. According to Turkey Cyprus
problem should be solved before any recognition. The EU leaders,
including Chirac, had accepted that Turkey could start the talks
without recognition of the Greek Cyprus. Greece's Prime Minister
Karamanlis announced two weeks ago that Greece was not sure about the
French politicians' sincerity on Cyprus issue. Cyprus issue is a very
hot issue in French domestic politics.
Last month, Turkey signed an accord extending its customs agreement
with the EU to the 10 new EU states, including Cyprus. But it said
that doing so did not imply that it recognized the government in
Nicosia, Southern Cyprus. There are two governments on the island,
Turkish and Greek Governments. However the Greek side does not
recognise Turkish Cypriots and blame them of occupying the Northern
Cyprus. The Turkish side strongly supported the UN Annan Peace Plan
in 2004 referendum while the Greek Cypriots rejected it. After the
referendum the EU and the US promised to end the economic and
political isolation over the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Despite of all these promises no concrete step has been taken by the
EU. The Greek side was accepted as full member to the EU though the
border issues were still there.
Mr Chirac, who has previously backed Turkey's EU candidacy, says he
wants EU foreign ministers to discuss Turkey's position on Cyprus
when they meet in Wales next week. At a meeting in Paris, he told the
President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, that
Turkey's refusal to recognise Cyprus was not in the spirit expected
of a candidate state. Turkey accuses Chirac of not keeping his words.
According to the Turkish media Mr. Chirac sacrificing Turkish
membership to the domestic politics. Dr. Nilgun Gulcan from ISRO says
`They first abused Armenian issue. They argued that the events
so-called happened almost a century ago are the most formidable
obstacle before Turkey's membership. Then now they abuses the Cyprus
issue. They do not remember their words. They do not care the future
of Europe. Couple of politicians danger security of Europe and
stability of the region around Turkey.'
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has also said it is
"inconceivable" to open membership talks with a country that does not
recognise all 25 EU member states. Turkey on the other hand says
recognition is not the problem. One of the Turkish diplomat told the
JTW that Turkey is ready to recognise the Greek Government as the
representative of the Greek Cypriots. `However the EU totally ignores
the Turkish Cypriots on the island. They ignore the TRNC. They ignore
the border problems. And most importantly the Turkish Cypriots
supported the UN Peace Plan, they supported the re-unification while
the Greek side undermined the possibility of a re-unification. The
Greek side wants a Turk-free island. If Turkish and Greek Cypriots
aggred on a solution, Turkey of course will recognise the both sides'
he added.
GERMAN TURKEY SCEPTICS
The favorite to win Germany's general election next month, Angela
Merkel, also urged caution on Turkey's EU membership. Merkel had
clearly declared that she and her party are against Turkey's
full-membership to the EU. Merkel, the leader of Germany's
centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), wrote to 11 European leaders,
advising them to offer Turkey a `privileged partnership' with the EU
instead of full membership. However Merkel has not fully explained
the `privileged membership'. Turkey has Customs Union and Turkish and
EU laws in almost all areas are the same. Turkey argues that Turkey
is already a privileged member of the EU.
Merkel in her letter argued that Turkey's membership would strain the
EU politically, economically and socially, and endanger the European
integration process. Recipients of Merkel's letter included Austrian
Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, French Prime Ministers Dominique de
Villepin, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Dutch Prime
Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude
Juncker and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the current EU council
president, as well as European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso.