| Armenian News Network / Groong
November 5, 2003
By Nicolas Tavitian
In a move clearly intended to encourage Turkish authorities to hasten reforms, the European Commission today noted `determined efforts and progress of Turkey towards meeting EU criteria for accession, but that further effort is needed’. These remarks were made on the occasion of the publication, today, of a report on Turkey’s progress towards EU Accession.
Among numerous critical observations on the respect for human rights and democratic norms, the report also raises concerns regarding the treatment of religious minorities, including Armenians. It mentions in particular that `Non-Moslem religious minorities continue to face serious obstacles with respect to legal personality, property rights, internal management, and a ban on the training of clergy’. The report provides details of these violations, and concludes: `concerning freedom of religion, the changes introduced by the reform packages have not yet produced the desired effects.’
The report also raises the question of anti-Armenian policies in the educational system, mentioning `complaints that state-issued school history books are responsible for inducing feelings of hostility towards minority groups’ and a recent Ministry of Education a circular `requiring schools to organise conferences and essay competitions on controversial historical events related to the Armenians, Greek Pontus and Assyrians.’
While the EC has consistently kept the question of recognition of the 1915 genocide off the agenda of its negotiations with Turkey, it does require that the so-called `political criteria’, including human rights and democratic standards, including minority rights, be fulfilled before accession negotiations for accession can even begin. A decision on whether or not negotiations should start will be made in December 2004.
In its report, the Commission also placed greater emphasis than in previous years on Turkey’s continued participation in a blockade of Armenia. Noting that `Turkey’s border with Armenia is still closed’, it mentions some positive developments in 2003, such as talk of a partial reopening of the border. The EU executive also notes that `grass-roots civil society initiatives have continued with a view to promoting closer co-operation between Turkey and Armenia, notably under the aegis of the Turkish Armenian Business Development Council (TABDC).’
The Commission’s report only mentions issues which are relevant to Turkey’s accession to the European Union. Although Turkey’s participation in a blockade of Armenia could not, from the EC’s point of view, hold up the start of accession talks, Turkish policy on the matter is nevertheless incompatible with EU policy. Turkey will therefore be required to establish normal neighbourly relations with Armenia before it can be admitted to actually join the Union.
The full report on Turkey’s progress towards accession is available on the Internet at: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/report_2003/pdf/rr_tk_final.pdf
Report by Nicolas Tavitian: nicolas.tavitian@ulb.ac.be |
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