Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:38 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position regarding the application of Turkey to join the EC; whether Ireland supports the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Membership Application by Turkey.
Turkey applied for membership of the Community on 14 April 1987. The application was referred to the Commission for examination in accordance with standard procedure. On 18 December 1989 the Commission produced on opinion which was accompanied by an analysis of Turkey's economy. The opinion concluded 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 was such that it would not be useful to open accession negotiations with Turkey straight away. The Commission's opinion acknowledged the pace of political and economic development in Turkey and proposed that Community relations with Turkey be intensified within the framework of the Association Agreement through — completion of the Customs Union, revival and intensification of financial cooperation, promotion of industrial and technological co-operation and strengthening of political and cultural links.
The Council of Ministers in February 1990 noted the Commission's opinion and the ideas for reinforced co-operation between the community and Turkey. Detailed Commission proposals in this regard were presented to the Council in June 1990 and are at present under consideration.
Ireland has consistently supported the intensification of relations between Turkey and the Community along the lines proposed.