Europe is our common home that we have built by uniting around common norms, principles and values. As a part and parcel of the family of European nations for centuries, Turkey not only had an immense influence on the political, economic and socio-cultural developments in the Continent but has also been influenced by them. Today, a full account of the history of Europe cannot be made without analyzing the significant role that Turkey played in the Continent. As in the past, the destinies of Turkey and other European countries are intertwined. We face the future together. Consequently, the debate on Turkey’s accession to the EU is a debate on the future of Europe. Turkey’s accession to the EU is a historical project about what kind of a Europe that we would like to see in the 21st century.
The Ankara Agreement and the Annex Protocol:
Turkey-EU relations were initiated in the framework of the association regime based on Ankara Agreement which was signed with the European Economic Community on 12 September 1963 and took effect on 1 December 1964.
Ankara Agreement envisaged three stages for the integration of Turkey and the EU, namely a preparatory stage, a transitional stage and a final stage. The completion of the Customs Union was planned at the end of the transitional stage. With the finalisation of the preparatory stage as foreseen in the Agreement, provisions of the transitional stage and the obligations of the Parties were determined in the Annex Protocol signed on 13 November 1970 and put into effect in 1973.
Customs Union:
With the completion of the transitional stage, Customs Union, which constitutes an important stage for our integration with the EU, entered into force on 1 January 1996. The level of integration between the Parties reached an important point with the Customs Union and the next goal of Turkey became the full membership to the EU, as indicated in Ankara Agreement.
The Helsinki Summit, the “candidate status” and the opening of accession negotiations:
A new period began in the four decade long relations between Turkey and the EU after Turkey was given “candidate status” during the Helsinki Summit on 10-11 December 1999. At the Brussels Summit on 16-17 December 2004, the decisions taken in the 1999 Helsinki Summit were reaffirmed, as the Council took note that Turkey “sufficiently” fulfilled the political criteria and decided to open accession negotiations with Turkey on 3 October 2005. Accession negotiations were launched on the abovementioned date, as planned.
The negotiation process:
In our accession process, 13 chapters (“Free Movement of Capital”, “Company Law”, “Intellectual Property Law”, “Information Society and Media”, “Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy”, “Taxation”, “Statistics”, “Enterprise and Industrial Policy”, “Trans-European Networks”, “Science and Research”, “Environment”, “Consumer and Health Protection”, “Financial Control”) have been opened to negotiations so far and 1 of them (“Science and Research”) has been provisionally closed.
On 29 July 2005, the Additional Protocol extending the Ankara Agreement to new member states that acceded to the EU in 2004 was concluded by exchange of letters among Turkey, the EU Presidency and the Commission. An official declaration which was an integral part of our letter and signature was also made. In the declaration, it was explicitly stated that Turkey, by signing the Additional Protocol, did not recognize the “Republic of Cyprus” by any means.
According to the EU Council’s decision of December 2006, negotiations on 8 chapters cannot be opened at present (“Free Movement of Goods”, “Right of Establishment and Freedom to Provide Services”, “Financial Services”, “Agriculture and Rural Development”, “Fisheries”, “Transport Policy”, “Customs Union” and “External Relations”) and other chapters cannot be provisionally closed on the grounds that Turkey does not undertake its obligations stemming from the Additional Protocol to Ankara Agreement with respect to Greek Cypriot Administration.
On the other hand, France has declared that it will not allow the opening of negotiations on 5 chapters (“Agriculture and Rural Development” (one of the 8 chapters blocked due to Additional Protocol), “Economic and Monetary Policy”, “Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments”, “Financial and Budgetary Provisions”, “Institutions”) as they are directly related with full membership. Besides, following the EU Council Meeting of December 2009, Greek Cypriot Administration has unilaterally stated that it will block the opening of 6 chapters (“Freedom of Movement for Workers”, “Education and Culture”, “Energy”, “Justice, Freedom and Security”, “Judiciary and Fundamental Rights”, “Foreign, Security and Defence Policy”). However, it is a commitment of the EU to carry out the negotiations on chapters only on the basis of the relevant acquis. Both during institutional contacts with the EU and contacts with the representatives of the EU member states, it is emphasized that the technical negotiation process should not be slowed down with political reasons. At present, efforts are underway to revive the negotiation process with a new impetus.
The reform process:
Accession to the EU is considered as a part of Turkey’s historical orientation towards further modernisation. Turkey is going through a comprehensive political and economic transformation process in recent years. The impetus that Turkey’s accession negotiations have created has been influential in this process, as well. Large-scale reforms are being realised in order to attain the highest norms and standards in the field of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in line with the needs and expectations of Turkish society. The Constitutional amendment package adopted as a result of the referendum held on 12 September 2010 has been an important step in the reform process. By means of this package, the scope of human rights and fundamental freedoms has been broadened and the constitutional system has been further harmonised with the international obligations of Turkey. The Action Plan which includes the legislative changes required by the constitutional amendments has been approved by the Council of Ministers on 27 September 2010. Work is also under way to prepare and adopt a new, progressive and comprehensive constitution. The establishment of the Ministry for European Union Affairs, despite the standstill in the accession negotiations, is a significant message to the EU regarding Turkey’s determined drive towards EU membership.
Relations with the European Parliament:
Turkey attaches particular importance to close cooperation with the European Parliament (EP). Parliamentary contacts between Turkey and the EU have significantly intensified over the last years.
The plenary meetings of the EP in Strasbourg and Brussels are regularly followed by Turkish parliamentarians. Turkish Parliament’s EU and Foreign Affairs Committees have regular contacts with their counterparts in the EU member countries as well as the relevant committees of the EP.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) which is the unique parliamentarian mechanism established in 1965 between the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the EP, fulfils its functions as a useful platform to exchange views on the accession process and all related issues. The 68th meeting of the JPC will be held in Istanbul on 23-24 February 2012.
The EP adopts each year a “Resolution on Turkey". Work on “2011 Resolution on Turkey” in the EP is under way and it is expected to be adopted in March 2012. A fair and balanced assessment by the EP of Turkey’s progress will serve as an important reference document in our efforts for further reform and accession to the EU.
The benefits of our accession for Turkey and the EU:
Being the 6th largest economy in Europe, Turkey has occupied the first place in Europe with an average growth rate of 8.9% in 2010. Turkey has become the fastest growing economy in the world with its growth rate of 11% in the first quarter of 2011, leaving China and Argentina behind. Turkey also has intensive commercial and economic relations with the Union. Approximately 42% of our total foreign trade is realised with the EU member states.
Turkey’s accession will increase the size of the European internal market and strengthen the relative competitiveness of the EU in the global economy. Turkey will constitute a true gain for the Union, with its educated and dynamic population, its prestigious status in its region and with its visionary and multidimensional foreign policy.
Keeping close contact with the EU in the field of foreign policy, Turkey also contributes to the civil and military operations conducted in the framework of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It contributes to the CSDP not only due to its candidate status to the EU, but also in the framework of its general policy of supporting every initiative bringing an added value to regional and international peace and stability and as required by its multilateral foreign policy. Turkey has put this support into action beyond verbal statements, by providing comprehensive contributions to the EU’s defence and security activities, missions and operations. Being among the leading non-EU member states that are contributing to the CSDP in terms of the number of operations and the quality of civil and military contributions, Turkey has contributed to the Bosnia-Herzegovina EUFOR-ALTHEA operation, the EU Police Mission (EUPM) in Bosnia-Herzegovina that is the first civil crisis management operation in CSDP context and EUPOL Kinshasa Police Mission.
With its special geostrategic position and large economic potential, accession of Turkey to the Union will yield concrete benefits for both sides. Turkey’s accession to the EU will bring a considerable added value to the Union, not a burden.
Political obstructions in the EU accession process:
From time to time, certain circles in the EU express doubts on Turkey’s accession to the EU. However, they are a minority and Turkey’s accession to the Union is supported by the majority of the EU Member States. This support for our accession process is explicitly voiced in the personal statements of many European political leaders and in their articles published in international press.
At present, intensive efforts are under way to overcome the political obstacles before our accession process, to achieve the necessary progress in our reform process and finally to accede to the Union by fulfilling the required criteria.
2011 Progress Report on Turkey and the Enlargement Strategy Document:
The EU Commission has published the 2011 Progress Report on Turkey together with the Enlargement Strategy Document on 12 October 2011. The Report broadly mentions about the political reforms carried out within the last year in Turkey, touches upon Turkey's economic performance and the constructive steps taken by Turkey in foreign policy field with appreciation and in terms of alignment with the acquis, refers to the progress achieved in negotiating chapters. However, in terms of methodology, it is observed that the report does not adequately present the significant developments in Turkey in various areas, while containing too many details and generalizations. This assessment strengthens the impression that while preparing the report the focus was on the expectations and shortcomings rather than the progress in Turkey. The Enlargement Strategy Document which underlines the commitment for the enlargement process, states that Turkey is a key country for the security and prosperity of the European Union, with its dynamic economy, important regional role and its contribution to EU's foreign policy and energy security and notes the need of creating a new and positive agenda in Turkish-EU relations. On the other hand, the "Cyprus" issue is mentioned in both documents which contain expressions disregarding Turkey’s support and efforts for a comprehensive solution on the island. Such an approach is not appropriate for an objective and fair evaluation of the matter. Our views and assessments about the content of the Progress Report have been communicated to the Commission in detail as in previous years.
The Enlargement Strategy Paper published on 12 October 2011 by the EU Commission includes the proposal of creating a "positive agenda" in Turkish-EU relations. The EU Commission listed a wide range of areas as the main elements of this agenda such as intensified dialogue and cooperation in political reforms, visa, mobility and migration, energy, fight against terrorism, more Turkish participation in the Community programmes, sister cities, trade and the Customs Union and support for efforts to comply with the acquis including chapters blocked. The said proposal, provided that the "positive agenda" serves as a supportive tool in Turkey’s EU negotiation process, is welcomed by Turkey. Turkey is in contact with the EU authorities in this issue.
Conclusions of the General Affairs Council and the European Council of December 2011:
In the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council (GAC) released on 5 December 2011 as endorsed by the European Council on 9 December 2011, the reform efforts achieved in the last years, including the launch of the constitutional amendment process are received positively. In the Conclusions, the terrorist attacks perpetrated in our country are condemned and full solidarity with Turkey is expressed. The Conclusions touch upon Turkey’s active foreign policy in a wide geography ranging from the Middle East to the Horn of Africa and reconfirms the role of Turkey, as an important regional actor, in supporting reforms in the neighbouring regions. Furthermore, the Conclusions draw attention to the fact that Turkey’s dynamic economy which continues to grow at a sustained pace contributes to the prosperity of Europe as a whole.
The Council Conclusions takes positively note of the proposal of the European Commission to establish a “positive agenda” between Turkey and the EU. On the other hand, in a Press Statement made on 6 December 2011 by the Foreign Ministry, it has been stressed that it was not possible for Turkey to accept the biased statements in the Conclusions about the “Cyprus” issue, the Additional Protocol and the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Similarly, describing Turkey in the Conclusions as a country of origin for illegal immigration to the EU does not reflect the reality. This fact can be confirmed in the official statistics made available by the European Commission and several Member States. On the contrary, Turkey has become a country of destination for migration as a result of the transformation process that it undergoes in all aspects of life. Migration which was once taking place from Turkey to Europe now has started to follow an opposite direction. Turkey, located on the routes of illegal immigration due to its geographical position, continues its cooperation with the EU in fighting against this challenge and is always ready to further strengthen this cooperation.
The European Council Conclusions of 9 December 2011 defined as “threat” Turkey’s statements on its future relations with the EU Presidency in the second half of 2012 and called for full respect of the Presidency as an institution. In a Press Statement made by the Foreign Ministry on 10 December 2011, it has been underscored that Turkey has deeply regretted the statements in the Conclusions of the European Council. Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry, in its Press Statement, has recalled that the situation surrounding the Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2012 would result from political miscalculation and mistake made with regard to the 2004 enlargement as well as from the problems imported by the EU into its midst at that time. It has also been mentioned that Turkey would retain its sincere desire for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus in the coming months in line with the expectation of the UN and for the assumption of the EU Presidency by a new partnership state in which Turkish Cypriots would take part with an equal status.
Recent visits to Turkey from the EU:
Lately, Turkey hosted some prominent EU figures and delegations. Among them are the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Mr. Stefan Füle (11-13 July 2011); MEP Ms. Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Raporteur on Turkey (19-23 October 2011); a Delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (10-11 November 2011); Commissioner Füle and Trade Commissioner Mr. Karel De Gucht on the occasion of a conference organized by TUSKON and European Policy Center (EPC) in Istanbul (17-18 November 2011) and President of the European Parliament Mr. Jerzy Buzek.