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Parliament pushes Turkey on EU reforms

Est. 3min

22-05-2008 (updated: 28-05-2012 )

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The European Parliament yesterday (21 May) adopted a very critical report on Turkey, expressing serious concern about the lack of reform and the AKP closure case, which brought into question the independence and impartiality of the country’s judiciary.

The 2007 Progress Report on Turkey, prepared by Dutch centre-right MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten, was adopted by an overwhelming majority, with 467 votes in favour, 62 against and 61 abstentions. 

It called on the Turkish Government to “make use of its strong parliamentary majority to resolutely pursue further reforms that are crucial to Turkey’s transformation into a modern, democratic and prosperous society”. 

2008 would be “a vital year” and “further delays will seriously affect the pace of negotiations,” Oomen-Ruijten pointed out. 

Reform of Art. 301 and AKP closure case

The reports considers the adopted changes to the infamous article 301 of the Penal Code (the ‘Turkishness’ article) by the Turkish Parliament as a “first step towards a fundamental reform,” urging the Government and the Parliament to carry out this reform “without delay”. 

However, further legislative and implementing steps are required in order to fully ensure freedom of expression and press freedom and bring the country in line with the standards enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). 

MEPs expressed their serious concern about the implications of the AK Party closure case, saying they expect the Turkish Constitutional Court to respect the principles of rule of law, European standards and the Venice Commission guidelines on the prohibition of political parties. 

The Turkish Parliament is being asked to bring the constitution in line with these standards. 

Other issues in the report include: 

  • The Kurdish question: 
     MEPs called on the Turkish government to push for “a lasting settlement” of the Kurdish issue, “which can only be based on tangible improvements in the cultural, economic and social opportunities available to citizens of Kurdish origin”.  
  • Fight against corruption: Turkish authorities are being urged to develop an overall anti-corruption strategy.
  • European Energy Community:  Turkey is being encouraged to join the European Energy Community as a full member and to fully support the Nabucco pipeline project as a means of strengthening energy cooperation with the EU, which “can benefit all parties involved”.
  • Ombudsman’s office: The report urged the Turkish Constitutional Court to make progress towards establishing the Ombudsman’s office without delay, recommending that Turkey should cooperate on this issue with the European Ombudsman and with national ombudsmen in neighbouring EU countries.

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Positions

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn called the report "fair and balanced", sharing its concerns about the lack of progress made on reform. Turkey could not afford "another wasted year of reform," he added. 

"Technical talks on chapters make up the walls and rooms of the house – maybe even the roof one day – while the legal and democratic reforms constitute the very foundations of any new EU member's construction. And, as every builder knows, one must first make solid foundations before moving on to putting the walls together," he said. 

He welcomed the revision of Article 301 but called for the focus to now be switched onto implementation of the amendments. 

Austrian Socialist MEP Hannes Swoboda called the AKP closure case "completely unacceptable", saying that "the Court cannot just take away the votes of so many people". He also urged the government to improve conditions for the Kurdish minority. 

German MEP Elmar Brok, a member of the EPP-ED  political bureau and the Parliament's foreign affairs committee, said: "Turkey today is more important for the EU than ever before," calling for a Turkey based on the rule of law. 

German ALDE MEP and member of the delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Alexander Lambsdorff said he was "disappointed" with the pace and scope of the constitutional reform process, saying that a revision of article 301 alone was "not satisfactory". 

He also called upon Turkey to ensure that "secularism must be protected". 

British ALDE MEP Andrew Duff warned that "if the drive towards closing down political parties continues, this will kill off all prospects of membership". 

Slovenia's state secretary Janez Lenar?i?, representing the EU Council Presidency, stressed that "2008 is a decisive year for the process and therefore Turkey should not miss this chance". 

He shared the Parliament's concerns about the proceedings initiated against the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and called for the fast application of the revised Article 301. Lenar?i? also urged the Erdogan government to speed up reforms on human rights and freedom of speech and to strengthen civil and parliamentary control over the military. 

Background

The Parliament's report comes just weeks after the visit of Commission President José Manuel Barroso to Turkey, where he expressed the EU's commitment to the continuation of accession talks with Turkey, but also pushed for more and faster reforms. 

Despite the lack of progress, the Commission said it was confident of opening two new negotiation chapters at the Summit in June. 

Negotiations are expected to become more difficult when France takes over the EU Presidency in July, as French President Nicolas Sarkozy is extremely critical of Turkey's future EU membership. 

Timeline

  • 19/20 June 2008: Two more chapters, namely company law and intellectual property rights, are set to be opened at the EU Summit.
  • 1 Jul 2008: France takes over the EU Presidency. 

Further Reading

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