Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-12-13-Speech-1-132"
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"en.20041213.10.1-132"2
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"The European Council is making a very important decision this week – on opening accession talks with Turkey. Opponents of accession, and we have heard the arguments here today, say that Turkey is not a European country, that it has different cultural, historical and religious roots from those of Europe, that it is situated in the unstable Middle Eastern region, that human, civil and political rights are not adequately observed in Turkey and that Turkey is not ready either politically, economically or in terms of its socio-economic development.
It is, of course, possible to go along with many of these arguments. The decision to be made by the European Council, which we are now discussing, however, is not about Turkey’s accession, but about the opening of accession negotiations. There is no doubt that Turkey, in its present situation, is not yet ready to join the European Union, but nor is the European Union ready for Turkey’s accession. I believe, however, that the decision on whether or not to start such talks with Turkey is a quite separate issue.
As has already been stated, these accession negotiations will run for many years and, during this time, the individual measures, procedures and progress in the different areas will be monitored in detail, whether it be in the field of human and civil rights, political reforms, socio-economic development or whatever. Of course, if Turkey’s obligations are not met, negotiations may be broken off at any time, and this has been made clear.
I am of the opinion that the European Union should has obligations of its own. Since Turkey has been awarded the status of candidate country and, according to a report published by the European Commission, has made clear progress in meeting the Copenhagen criteria, it should be given a chance: the chance to continue with far-reaching political and economic reforms and the chance to fulfil the legacy of the founder of the modern Turkish state Kemal Ataturk and come closer to the West. It is an ambitious project and it is my view that, if it succeeds, both Turkey and the European Union will benefit. If it does not succeed ..."@en1
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