Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-10-06-Speech-3-024"

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"Mr President, I think that as far as the thorny and complex matter of relations with Turkey is concerned, we should begin by stating the fact that relations between the European Union and Turkey have been in hibernation for the last two years. Turning to the representative of the Commission, I would like to ask: is this situation really in the European Union’s best interests? I believe, Mr President, that we must make ourselves clear, and be able to distinguish between what we can actually do and the promises we would like to make. I think that one of the messages that we have to put across in Helsinki – and I am directing this remark to the Presidency-in-Office of the Council – is that the climate for negotiating in Luxembourg must be improved. How can we do this? Well, we have to bring Turkey closer to the European Union and the European Union closer to Turkey on the basis of actions which are concrete, tangible and resounding. I do not think that dodging a question that we will have to face up to sooner or later is a good idea. We cannot put this off any longer. Do we want Turkey to become firmly anchored in the democratic system of Western values or not? What are we prepared to do in order to achieve this? Turkey has been a loyal ally of the European Union and deserves a clear and honest answer. I think that within the European Union, we must face up to this situation with clarity, not by replacing reality with a reality of our own invention, because when all is said and done, that produces nothing but discontent and frustration. I shall direct these remarks, for the sake of this clarity, to the Commission’s representative because in the end, the Commission’s decision will be definitive, or at least will have great bearing on the way Heads of State and Government see the matter. Is the Commission going to propose more of the same to the European Council, or will the Commission, on the basis of the requirements of the Copenhagen criteria and of its own conviction about the Turks, offer the Turks the chance of not missing the boat in the future? I would like the Commission to give a clear answer as to what the terms of their proposal will be."@en1

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