Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

Ball Now In Turkey's Court
by Unknown - 16-02-01
Posted: Sunday, February 18, 2001 11:28 pm CST

The European Parliament in Strasbourg has issued a report in which it urged Turkey to proceed with political reforms or face removal as a EU candidate country.

At yesterday's press conference, Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said the Cyprus issue was linked to Turkeys accession. He pointed to a remark made by Hannes Swoboda, the EU official in charge of relations with Turkey, that "the ball was now in Turkey's court".

The Strasbourg report came along with a decision to approve assistance to Turkey within the framework of its accession negotiations with the EU.

Papapetrou noted that the decision was conditional on a number of important political points. First Turkey must adjust to EU requirements and not vice versa because the current situation stems from the fact that it was Ankara that applied for membership and not as the result of an invitation from the EU.

Another point was that Turkey must make swift progress in fulfilling the Helsinki criteria. This, Papapetrou said, directly relates the Cyprus issue to Turkey's accession, since the Helsinki decisions made clear that Ankara must do everything it can to help resolve the island's political problem within the framework of UN resolutions.

Swoboda also said Turkey must develop a functioning democracy, rule of law and a respect for human rights within the next five years, otherwise an 'alternative status' for Turkey will have to be considered. "No country can remain a candidate indefinitely", he said.

In a round table discussion with journalists on Turkish-EU relations on Wednesday, the EU official described Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash as being particularly intransigent. He also said Ankara must withdraw its occupation troops from Cyprus along with a complete demilitarisation of the island, so that all who live there will feel secure.

Related Information...

Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News Archives