Our disappointment concerning the paragraphs on Turkey and EU’s enlargement strategy, adopted by the General Affairs and External Relations Council and endorsed by the European Council on 14 December 2007, is well-known.

The main element underlying our disappointment is the efforts of one member state to erode the political and legal standing of our EU membership process.

It is a known fact that there are some other members who consider this to be an opportunity to insert their own political agendas into the Conclusions text. However, it should be evident that these kinds of attempts will serve the interest of no one.

It is inevitable that such approaches and acts lacking in common sense will have adverse repercussions on Turkey-EU relations, as well as on our bilateral relations with the countries concerned.

The EU has declared and defined itself as a legal system. The foundation of the EU, as well as its functioning methods, are based on the common legal system, namely as the EU acquis, which has evolved since the establishment of the Union. The denial of this reality by the EU is tantamount to denying itself. It should be realized by those who were striving in that direction that this is not possible. It is not possible to consider nonexistent the results of the decisions on Turkey that bear the endorsement and signature of all member countries since the beginning of the process.

We would like to point out that the EU, in accordance with its founding philosophy and principles, should exhibit a more resolute stance against these kinds of attempts from now on.

With regard to our accession process the member states acting within the framework of the fundamental principles which define the EU, constitute a solid majority. These countries have stood against the attempts to erode the legal framework of Turkey’s accession negotiations. Therefore, we think that in the future the issue of Turkey’s membership will not be left to the discretion of a single country. In other words, Turkey is not alone. We appreciate the efforts of these countries.

The European Council endorsed the GAERC Conclusions of December 10, as a whole. The Council Conclusions confirm our accession objective by referring to 2006 Enlargement Strategy, which includes our country, and the Negotiating Framework Document. Therefore, not making direct references to Turkey’s full membership objective and accession negotiations process, does not change the fact that the process is continuing.

Turkey continues the negotiation process in line with its full membership objective. The process, by its nature, has an irreversible quality.