Sumario: 24 October 2007, Strasbourg - Speech by Mr Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement , "Turkey on the Road of Reforms" at the European Parliament Plenary Session
President, Honourable Members,
Let me congratulate Ms Ria Oomen-Ruijten for her solid report and for proposing a draft that is both rigorous and fair.
Turkey went through an extremely difficult period earlier in the year with of a severe constitutional crisis and high political tensions.
Despite such challenges, it conducted parliamentary and presidential elections peacefully, in full respect of democratic standards, with a high level of participation of the citizens.
The result was that democracy had the last word. The new Turkish Parliament is largely representative of Turkey's political diversity and the new government can now work with the support of a stable majority and a broad popular mandate.
Turkey deserves credit for this achievement. The way ahead has been cleared. Now the time has come to re-generate a new momentum in the reform process.
Therefore the Commission shares the basic approach followed by the draft resolution, which is to identify challenges and to encourage Turkey to meet these challenges.
This means to support the commitment of the new Turkish government to strengthen the reform efforts; and to encourage it to translate this commitment rapidly into action.
The Commission welcomes the fact that the government has put the constitutional reforms at the top of its agenda, with a view to improving democracy and expanding individual freedoms.
But this should not result in postponement of reforms that are urgently needed today, such as the revision of the Turkish Penal Code and the adoption of the Law on Foundations to ensure freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
Further efforts are also needed to ensure democratic supremacy of civil-military relations, protect the rights of women, children and trade unions, improve the judicial system and enhance the fight against corruption.
Honourable Members,
Let me say some words on the recent events and current situation.
Turkey faces continual cross-border terrorist attacks from the PKK, which is on the EU list of terrorist organisations. The European Union condemns all terrorist attacks and understands Turkey's need to protect its citizens.
The EU and Turkey are both remain committed to the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.
We continue to urge Turkey and Iraq to tackle this problem through cooperation between the relevant authorities and by respecting international law. The recent bilateral agreement between Turkey and Iraq on the fight against terrorism provides a basis for this.
The Turkish authorities are trying to engage the US, Iraqi and Iraqi-Kurdish authorities in their efforts. The resolution passed in the Parliament last week should be seen as part of that strategy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The European perspective for Turkey has proven a key incentive for reforms in the country.
In line with our core principle of conditionality in enlargement policy, the implementation of reforms on the ground determines progress in the accession negotiations.
However, if we are to use this principle effectively to encourage reforms, the EU must stick to its own commitments.
All Member States continue to support accession negotiations with Turkey. It is vital for the Union's credibility that the process continues in accordance with the Negotiating Framework of 3 October 2005 and the Council decision of 11 December 2006. These were unanimous decisions of all 27 Member States.
We should therefore open further chapters without delay, as soon as they are technically ready. At least two chapters could be opened in the coming weeks. We also encourage Turkey to work to meet the opening benchmarks already defined for 13 chapters.
Mr President, Honourable Members,
Last but not least, please rest assured that your contribution will be duly taken into account in our forthcoming progress report for Turkey which the Commission will adopt on 6 November.
Thank you.
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