Turkey accession negotiations: Proportional response to Cyprus question will allow reforms to continue in Turkey

The European Commission today proposed granting Turkey more time to agree a solution to the Cyprus question and in the meantime proposed suspending negotiations on subjects directly linked to the customs union. Commenting on the proposal, Dutch Green MEP Joost Lagendijk, Chairman of the EP Turkey delegation, said:

"Today's proposal from the Commission outlines a positive approach on how to progress with Turkey's accession talks in the absence of the resolution of the Cyprus question. The complete suspension of the accession, which some parties have called for, is in the interest of neither the EU nor Turkey and would undoubtedly derail the reform process in Turkey.

"In spite of previous commitments, Turkey continues to impose its ban Cypriot ships and planes and clearly this must have consequences, however the EU response must be proportional. Suspending those chapters of negotiations relating directly to the customs union achieves this goal."

German Green MEP Cem Özdemir added:

"The Commission proposal represents a pragmatic basis for dealing with the unresolved question of Cyprus and the Greens urge EU Foreign Ministers to endorse this proposal when they discuss the issue on 11 December. A complete halt of the negotiations would make a swift solution of the Cyprus problem even more unlikely and we hope the Council will agree that this would be counterproductive.

"Continuing negotiations on the other chapters would allow Turkey to show its commitment to the necessary reforms. The government must amend the infamous Article 301 (criminalising the 'insulting of Turkishness') without delay. It is important that Turkey continues with its progress towards transposing the 'acquis communitaire' and that Turkish nationalists do not succeed in their efforts to block reforms."

Source: www.greens-efa.org/cms/pressreleases/dok/159/159016.turkey_accession_negotiations@en.htm