6 September 2004
EMBARGO 11H00
A report published today by the Independent Commission on Turkey says that accession negotiations should begin as soon as Turkey meets the Copenhagen political criteria. The report examines in detail opportunities and challenges presented by Turkey's possible membership of the European Union.
Ahead of the European Council's decision in December, discussions over Turkey's possible EU membership have heightened in intensity. The Independent Commission was established in March 2004 to help defuse tensions by helping to shape a more rational debate. Its nine members include former heads of state, foreign ministers and European Commissioners.
The Commission concludes that Turkey has made great strides in
political and judicial reforms, and warns that European interests
could suffer unless the EU opens its doors. "Turkey has undergone
a silent revolution in recent years in trying to meet the political
criteria necessary for membership of the EU," said Martti Ahtisaari,
former President of Finland and Chair of the Independent Commission.
“Further delay would damage the European Union’s credibility.”
The Independent Commission also concluded:
• Turkey’s membership would be unlikely to fundamentally change
the EU and the functioning of its institutions.
• Turkey would be a candidate for considerable EU assistance, the amount
depending on circumstances at the time of accession.
• Turkey has achieved more reform in just over two years than in the
whole of the previous decade; ensuring full implementation of new legislation
and sustaining the reform process are to a large degree dependent on maintaining
the momentum of Turkey’s accession process.
• The Turkish economy is still weak and suffers from imbalances, but
it has proved to be resilient and has great potential.
• Predicted migration flows will be modest and could be of benefit to
the European economy.
• Turkish accession would strengthen the Union’s capabilities as
foreign policy actor in regions vital to Europe’s security.
• As one of NATO’s strongest partners, Turkey would be of great
value to the European defence system.
• Turkey’s geopolitical position makes it an important factor for
Europe’s security of energy supplies.
Preparation of the report involved intensive discussions and meetings with high-level political, NGO and civil society representatives in Turkey. The report does not cover matters currently under review by the European Commission as part of its Progress Report for October 2004.
Notes for editors:
• The nine Commission members are: Martti Ahtisaari; Kurt Biedenkopf;
Emma Bonino; Hans van den Broek; Bronislaw Geremek; Anthony Giddens;
Marcelino Oreja Aguirre; Michel Rocard and Albert Rohan. The Commission
is supported by the British
Council and the Open Society
Institute.
• The Independent Commission on Turkey will present its report
at the European Policy Centre, Residence Palace, Brussels, on Monday
6 September at 11 am. The report will be available online (in English,
French, German, Italian, Spanish and Turkish) at www.independentcommissiononturkey.org.
• Members of the Commission will subsequently present the report
in other European cities as follows:
7 September: Berlin, Deutsch Gesellschaft für Auswärtige
Politik
8 September: The Hague, Clingendael Institute
9 September: London, Royal United Services Institute for
Defence & Security Studies
13 September: Barcelona, CIDOB Foundation, European Institute
of Mediterranean Affairs
16 September: Vienna, Österreichische Gesellschaft
für Europapolitik
Date to be confirmed: Paris, IFRI, French Institute for International
Relations
27-28 October: Rome (venue to be confirmed)
For more information, contact Julia Smith, Press Officer, British
Council Brussels (julia.smith@britishcouncil.be),
t: +32 (0)2 227 08 46, mobile: +32 (0)485 25 24 31.
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