Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
83 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will advise on the political reforms being undertaken by the Government of Turkey; the prospects for accession by Turkey to the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14515/04]
View answerThe Helsinki European Council in December 1999 decided that Turkey is a candidate country destined to join the European Union on the basis of the same criteria applied to other candidate states. The Copenhagen European Council in December 2002 made the clear commitment that if the European Council meeting in December 2004 decides that Turkey has fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria, the EU will open accession negotiations without delay. The political criteria require a candidate country to have achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. December's decision will be taken on the basis of a report and recommendation by the Commission, which will be prepared following extensive consultation with the Turkish authorities under the terms of the revised accession partnership between the EU and Turkey.
Deputies will be aware that the Government has welcomed the remarkable progress made by Turkey in recent years in legislating for reform. Most recently, on 7 May, the Turkish Parliament approved a significant package of constitutional amendments which include provision for the abolition of the State Security Courts, further measures to bring civil-military relations into line with EU standards and to strengthen freedom of the press, and the insertion of a constitutional clause on gender equality. The measures also remove all references in the constitution to the death penalty, which has been abolished in all circumstances.
The Government has had regular contact with Turkey throughout Ireland's EU Presidency. The Taoiseach has conferred regularly with Prime Minister Erdogan. Most recently, on 18 May I represented the EU at the EU-Turkey Association Council in Brussels. The Turkish delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Gul, with whom I also had a very useful bilateral discussion. We reviewed Turkey's progress towards meeting the Copenhagen political criteria and I assured Minister Gul of the European Union's welcome for the adoption of the new constitutional reforms. Minister Gul informed us that a further legislative package is now being prepared and he confirmed that a new penal code is expected to enter into force before the end of the year.
A central element in the assessment to be made by the European Council in December will be the effective implementation of Turkey's wide-ranging legislative reforms at all levels of the administration and throughout the country.
