Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 4

Written Answers. - EC Membership Applications.

Séamus Pattison

Ceist:

39 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received representations from the Government of Turkey in respect of that country's proposed application for membership of the EC; the present position of the Irish Government concerning the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Godfrey Timmins

Ceist:

41 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland's attitude towards the expressed desire for membership of the EC by Turkey and Austria.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 41 together.

The treaties establishing the European Communities set out the procedures for dealing with membership applications. These provide that the Council shall act unanimously on an application after consulting the Commission and after receiving the assent of the European Parliament.

The Austrian application for membership was lodged on 17 July 1989 and the relevant procedures have been invoked. Pending the outcome of these procedures it would not be appropriate for the Government to express a view on possible future membership of the Community by Austria.

The Turkish Government formally applied for membership of the European Community on 14 April 1987. The application was referred to the Commission in accordance with the terms of Article 237 of the EC Treaty. The Commission has now delivered an opinion on the application to the Council to the effect that it would be inappropriate for the Community to become involved in new accession negotiations at this stage and that the political and economic situation in Turkey is such that it would not be useful at present to open accession negotiations with Turkey.

However, the Commission opinion emphasises the need to intensify the relationship between the EC and Turkey and suggests the areas in which co-operation could be deepened. The Foreign Affairs Council of 5 February examined the Commission opinion and noted the intention of the Commission to make concrete proposals regarding enhanced co-operation. The Council's discussion showed that there was a broad measure of support amongst member states for the approach adopted by the Commission.

I have been in close contact with representatives of the Government of Turkey in the matter of the Turkish application. In particular I was happy to welcome to Dublin on 19 January the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs, Professor Ali Bozer, who explained the Turkish Government position to me in detail.