Speech by MEP Adamos Adamou (GUE/NGL, CY) on the Turkey Progress Report

SPEECH BY MEP ADAMOS ADAMOU (GUE/NGL, CY) ON THE TURKEY PROGRESS REPORT,

European Parliamentn Strasbourg - 11/03/2009

The Turkey Progress Report and its evaluation, due for December, concern whether or not Turkey complies with all the Copenhagen criteria and the obligations emanating from the Association Agreement and the Additional
Ankara Protocol.

The objective of full accession, which is important for both Turkey and the European Union, remains the driving force behind a number of reforms and changes in Turkey\'s policies to safeguard the rights of all minorities, the political solution to the Kurdish problem, the recognition of the Armenian genocide and the lifting of the border
embargo with Armenia.

Turkey should comply with all its conventional obligations to the EU, as was the case for all previous candidate countries.

Instead of that, it does not comply with the conventional obligations which it has undertaken towards the EU concerning the Republic of Cyprus as a Member State. It refuses to open its ports and airports to ships
and airplanes of the Republic of Cyprus and to lift its veto against the participation of Cyprus in international organisations. And while it seeks a role of a stabilizing factor in the region, it continues to violate International Law by occupying part of Cyprus.

Currently we are in the midst of negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of a bicommunal bizonal federation, with political equality as laid down in the UN resolutions; within the
framework of International and European Law.

Hence, the EU should insist on positions of principle and intensify its pressure for Turkey to allow substantive progress in the negotiations, to end the occupation and to take all appropriate actions for the verification of the fate of the missing persons, in view of the recent statements made by former soldier Olgac.

Concerning the energy chapter, this cannot be opened if Turkey does not cease to obstruct the Republic of Cyprus from exercising its sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone. I hereby specifically refer to a
statement, as published, by the Enlargement Commissioner Mr. Oli Rehn: \"The Commission is concerned by the accosting by Turkish naval vessels of vessels carrying out research for hydrocarbon resources in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus... In its conclusions of 8 December 2008, the Council urges the avoidance of any kind of threat, source of friction or action which could negatively affect good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes.\"

SPEECH BY MEP KYRIACOS TRIANTAPHYLLIDES (GUE/NGL, CY) ON THE TURKEY PROGRESS REPORT,

European Parliament, Strasbourg, 11/03/2009

I want to congratulate Commissioner Rehn for his position on commenting on Mrs Oomen-Ruijten\'s report, that it is essential for Turkey to proactively support the ongoing talks between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus.

That is why we are in full agreement with the rapporteur when in paragraph 40 of her report she calls on Turkey to facilitate a suitable climate for negotiations by withdrawing Turkish forces and allowing the two leaders to negotiate their country\'s future freely. And I would suggest that at this moment of direct talks, it might not be advisable for the European Parliament to incorporate into its report any proposals for derogations from the acquis.

To complement the rapporteur\'s position, we additionally call on Turkey to comply with its obligations regarding investigations into the fate of missing persons and to stop interfering in the Republic of Cyprus\' Exclusive Economic Zone. In so doing, Turkey will facilitate its own way towards accession.

www.abhaber.com, 12-03-2009 14:52 (TSİ)