International

SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel has expressed his approval of the government’s approach to the question of Turkish EU membership as demonstrated in their actions since last weekend’s Brussels Summit. “I’m particularly pleased with the maintenance of the so-called ‘emergency stop procedure’. The opening of accession negotiations should not be seen as automatically signalling that Turkey’s application will inevitably be successful.”

The SP’s parliamentary group welcomes the declaration from the Turkish government that they will sign the customs protocol of the Ankara Agreement, which included a de facto recognition of Cyprus, prior to the start of negotiations. MP Harry Van Bommel, however, has also presented the Foreign Minister with a series of questions, for example regarding the position of the Kurds in relation to the talks between the EU and Turkey.

Below is Van Bommel’s intervention during the parliamentary debate over the Summit

The SP’s parliamentary group welcomes the declaration from the Turkish government that they will sign the customs protocol of the Ankara Agreement, which included a de facto recognition of Cyprus, prior to the start of negotiations. Foreign Minister Mr Bot stated last Sunday during a television programme that this “is a step towards the full recognition of Cyprus.” However, at the end of the EU Summit Turkish Prime Minister Mr Erdogan that the commitment contained no recognition of the Cypriot government. On this point he found no support amongst European leaders.

Given the fact that the customs protocol does contain a de facto recognition of Cyprus, the SP parliamentary group would like to ask the Minister whether this step is in their view merely provisional or if the Turkish government must undertake a formal recognition of Cyprus before accession negotiations can begin?

As regards relations with Turkey’s neighbours, I note from the conclusion that Turkey is ready “to work further with the affected member states to find a peaceful solution to existing border disputes in a manner which conforms to the UN Charter.”

At the same time it was stated that unresolved conflicts affecting the accession process would if necessary be brought before the International Court of Human Rights. Does this refer to the question of Cyprus or is this text also applicable to relations between Turkey and Greece and possibly other countries?

Is the government of the opinion that the situation of Kurds in Turkey will also influence the accession process? In what manner does the EU wish to approach the Kurdish question? Will the Kurds also be involved in talks? If not, why not? If so, what form will this take?

As soon as Turkey is accepted as a full member of the European family her border with Armenia will become an EU border. Not only from the point of view of survivors of the Armenian genocide and their descendants, but also in the interests of European stability, it is time that steps were taken to close this dark chapter of history. In a resolution passed by the European Parliament on 15 December, Turkey was requested to “further the process of reconciliation with the Armenian people by acknowledging the genocide against Armenia.”

During the General Meeting on Europe last week, Minister Bot stated that before she is accepted into the EU, Turkey must “straighten this matter out.” Did the minister mean that Turkey should explicitly acknowledge the genocide against the Armenians? Does the minister see a role for the EU in taking steps towards bringing about a reconciliation between Armenians and Turks? If so, has any timetable been specified for this process? Does the minister agree that before 3 October 2005 some visible progress ought to have been made?

During the same General Meeting many members joined me in my plea for attention to be paid to the Armenian genocide. I consider that after two years of discussion over the Syrian and Armenian questions there is now a majority in the lower house which is willing to talk in terms of the genocide of 1915. This is a step in the right direction. It’s important that this majority keeps the pressure up on Turkey and the EU. In the Council Conclusions issued at the end of the Summit there was unfortunately no mention of this issue. The SP parliamentary group would like to know what agreements the EU has made with Turkey regarding this matter. Could the minister please comment?