Vol. 487 No. 5
8 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions, if any, he has had with his Turkish counterpart in relation to EU-Turkish relations; and the indications, if any, he has received regarding Turkey's attitude to the forthcoming EU enlargement conference organised by the British Presidency of the EU. [4302/98]
Ireland believes it is in the interest of the European Union to further develop relations between the Union and Turkey. On that basis, we welcomed the decision of the European Council, meeting in Luxembourg on 12-13 December 1997, to invite Turkey to participate in the European Conference, which will bring together the member states of the European Union and the states aspiring to accede to it.
The European Council meeting at Luxembourg also outlined the main elements of an enhanced European strategy for Turkey, intended to prepare Turkey for accession by bringing it closer to the EU in every field, notably through the development of the possibilities afforded by the Ankara accord and an intensification of the customs union. Turkish participation in the European Conference, complemented by the enhanced strategy outlined by the Luxembourg European Council, would have considerable potential to further deepen co-operation between the EU and Turkey.
While I have not had an opportunity to discuss EU-Turkish relations with Foreign Minister Cem, the British Presidency of the EU has maintained an ongoing dialogue with Turkey on the Union's relations with that country. We support the continuing efforts of the British Presidency to encourage Turkey to participate in the European Conference and we hope that Turkey would also reflect further on the positive elements outlined by the European Council at Luxembourg. We hope, through a process of ongoing dialogue and cooperation, the Union and Turkey can find ways to continue to deepen the relationship between us.
Is the Minister aware of the anger expressed by the Turkish Government after the Luxembourg summit at the handling by the Luxembourg Presidency of Turkish-EU relations? Has the Turkish Government indicated whether it will attend the conference on 13 March? Is the Minister aware of the initiative taken by the Turkish Government in recent days in which it communicated to the Greek Government with regard to a high level group to be set up between both countries? If he is aware of this initiative, will he do everything possible to encourage the Greeks to respond positively?
I am aware the representatives of the Turkish Government are extremely angry at their effective exclusion at the moment the decision was made. To date, Turkey's position with regard to attendance at the conference has been negative. They are still simmering with anger at their treatment. They were not treated well in the context of the treatment of the other "ins and pre-ins", the phrase to describe the other central and eastern European countries and Cyprus.
At this stage, it appears the Turkish Government will not attend the conference. There is a strong feeling that its representatives were not properly treated in the first instance and that they should be encouraged to attend the conference in March. I hope they will change their minds as it will be in their own interests. Turkey has a great deal to offer the EU as a bridge between different cultures and in view of its history. However, there are problems in Turkey which will continue to be addressed.
Ireland believes the Union has a fundamental interest in developing and strengthening relations with Turkey and welcomes the fact that the European Council at Luxembourg explicitly confirmed Turkey's eligibility for accession. We welcome the proposal to invite Turkey to participate in the European Conference. It has the potential to provide a useful multilateral framework for consultation with all applicants for the Union, including Turkey. We also welcome the European strategy for Turkey, as outlined by the Council, and consider that elements for an enhanced European strategy for relations with Turkey, including the development of the possibilities afforded by the Ankara accord and an intensification of the customs union, have considerable potential to further deepen cooperation between the EU and Turkey.
I will encourage high level contact between Turkey and Greece. I have good relations with the Greek Foreign Minister and I would like to think——
Everybody does except the Turks.
That is true. However, that is a blip of history that must be overcome.
Is the Minister aware of the new initiative or has he seen it?
I have not studied it in detail. I will familiarise myself with it and if the Deputy wishes to refer to it on another occasion by way of parliamentary question I will be happy to respond in detail.
I read in a newspaper today about a Minister in Britain who said that somebody walked past his office with cartloads of files on immigrants so he could tell Parliament "truthfully" that he had reviewed the files.
Does the Minister envisage Turkey becoming a member of the EU at some time in the future? How seriously is the Turkish application being viewed? When was the last occasion the General Affairs Council addressed the human rights situation in Turkey and is it on the agenda for next Monday's meeting?
I cannot say whether it is on the agenda for next Monday's meeting but I can inform the Deputy closer to the date of that meeting.
Turkey is not being singled out from among the applicant states. All applicants for membership of the EU have been judged on the basis of the criteria outlined at the Copenhagen European Council. The heads of state and governments confirmed at Luxembourg that Turkey, like other applicant states, would be judged on the basis of these objective criteria. Among those criteria are the issues of human rights, the rule of law, the fostering and proper management of the market economy, democratic institutions and the ability to take on the aims and obligations of the EU.
I believe Turkey will become a member of the EU but I do not know in what circumstances or at what time.
