PM rediscovers route to Brussels
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Cansu Çamlıbel
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 23, 2008 00:00
ANKARA - It has been four years since PM Erdoğan last visited Brussels. In January, however, he will stage a grand return to show a renewed interest in EU accession talks. Concerned of Turkish sincerity about achieving full membership, European officials hope his visit signals the beginning of increased effort toward reform
After a four-year suspension of all trips to the European Union capital Brussels, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is readying for a landmark visit at the beginning of 2009.
Erdoğan, who has been criticized for his lack of presence on the European scene and reluctance toward reforms, will mark his return to the EU agenda as a priority for 2009 with his visit to Brussels.
Erdoğan will pay a two-day visit Jan. 19 upon the invitation of the European Commission’s President Jose Manuel Barosso, the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review has learned. Erdoğan’s visit will include high-level talks with top names from all European institutions, including the EU’s Foreign Policy and Security Chief Javier Solana and the European Parliament’s President Hans-Gert Pöttering.
Erdoğan will also deliver speeches at meetings organized by prominent think tanks, the European Policy Center and the Friends of Europe. Although preparations have begun, the Prime Minister’s program is not yet finalized and doors have been left open for last-minute changes.
Erdoğan’s weak presence in Europe coupled with the government’s declining reform momentum have been major sources of criticism by the EU. The last time Erdoğan visited Brussels was for the European Summit on Dec. 17, 2004, when Turkey was given an accession date for talks. Barosso, who came to Ankara in April, invited Erdoğan to Brussels during their meeting on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
Erdoğan’s timing for the long-awaited visit, however, comes as a result of in-depth assessments for the year 2009, which was recently announced as a litmus test for Turkey’s accession talks by the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
"After one or two years of domestic difficulties, we would expect Turkey now to shift into a new gear and seriously start to pursue the reforms again," Rehn was quoted as saying by Reuters on Sunday.
Lack of unified stance for EU
Despite President Abdullah Gül’s commitment to firm messages about Turkey’s EU path and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan’s work as chief negotiator, the country lacks a solid and unified stance due to Erdoğan giving the cold shoulder to reform, according to EU diplomats.
The EU champions Erdoğan’s involvement in the process as the country’s top executive because there is an urgent need to re-vitalize enthusiasm. Erdoğan’s controversial statement "Love it or leave it," his lack of tolerance of criticism, increased reports of torture, the launching of a war against the media and underestimating the global credit crisis have all been sources of concern in Europe.
Although Erdoğan’s presence in Brussels after a long period will mark an important step in re-assuming the EU perspective, Erdoğan will have to support this move with his actions during 2009.
Expectations from Ankara are not only limited to areas concerning religious freedoms, minority rights or judicial reform, but also extend to long-standing commitments on the Cyprus problem. The EU wants Turkey to take a stronger stance in support of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus in 2009.
In its progress report in 2009, the European Commission will assess Turkey’s progress toward implementing the Additional Protocol, which requires the opening of ports and airports to Greek Cyprus.
Despite the rejection of the UN-led Annan Plan for reunification of the island, Greek Cyprus was let into the 27 nation-bloc in May 2004, providing obstacles in Turkey’s entry talks ever since.
The EU suspended talks on eight chapters in December 2006, due to Ankara's refusal to open ports to Greek Cyprus.
EU officials have said privately that progress in Cyprus reunification talks next year will be essential for Turkey to move forward in EU accession talks. Rehn said, in an interview, next year should be the year of a settlement in Cyprus, urging all parties, and in particular Turkey, to step up efforts.
Erdoğan, who has been criticized for his lack of presence on the European scene and reluctance toward reforms, will mark his return to the EU agenda as a priority for 2009 with his visit to Brussels.
Erdoğan will pay a two-day visit Jan. 19 upon the invitation of the European Commission’s President Jose Manuel Barosso, the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review has learned. Erdoğan’s visit will include high-level talks with top names from all European institutions, including the EU’s Foreign Policy and Security Chief Javier Solana and the European Parliament’s President Hans-Gert Pöttering.
Erdoğan will also deliver speeches at meetings organized by prominent think tanks, the European Policy Center and the Friends of Europe. Although preparations have begun, the Prime Minister’s program is not yet finalized and doors have been left open for last-minute changes.
Erdoğan’s weak presence in Europe coupled with the government’s declining reform momentum have been major sources of criticism by the EU. The last time Erdoğan visited Brussels was for the European Summit on Dec. 17, 2004, when Turkey was given an accession date for talks. Barosso, who came to Ankara in April, invited Erdoğan to Brussels during their meeting on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
Erdoğan’s timing for the long-awaited visit, however, comes as a result of in-depth assessments for the year 2009, which was recently announced as a litmus test for Turkey’s accession talks by the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
"After one or two years of domestic difficulties, we would expect Turkey now to shift into a new gear and seriously start to pursue the reforms again," Rehn was quoted as saying by Reuters on Sunday.
Lack of unified stance for EU
Despite President Abdullah Gül’s commitment to firm messages about Turkey’s EU path and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan’s work as chief negotiator, the country lacks a solid and unified stance due to Erdoğan giving the cold shoulder to reform, according to EU diplomats.
The EU champions Erdoğan’s involvement in the process as the country’s top executive because there is an urgent need to re-vitalize enthusiasm. Erdoğan’s controversial statement "Love it or leave it," his lack of tolerance of criticism, increased reports of torture, the launching of a war against the media and underestimating the global credit crisis have all been sources of concern in Europe.
Although Erdoğan’s presence in Brussels after a long period will mark an important step in re-assuming the EU perspective, Erdoğan will have to support this move with his actions during 2009.
Expectations from Ankara are not only limited to areas concerning religious freedoms, minority rights or judicial reform, but also extend to long-standing commitments on the Cyprus problem. The EU wants Turkey to take a stronger stance in support of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus in 2009.
In its progress report in 2009, the European Commission will assess Turkey’s progress toward implementing the Additional Protocol, which requires the opening of ports and airports to Greek Cyprus.
Despite the rejection of the UN-led Annan Plan for reunification of the island, Greek Cyprus was let into the 27 nation-bloc in May 2004, providing obstacles in Turkey’s entry talks ever since.
The EU suspended talks on eight chapters in December 2006, due to Ankara's refusal to open ports to Greek Cyprus.
EU officials have said privately that progress in Cyprus reunification talks next year will be essential for Turkey to move forward in EU accession talks. Rehn said, in an interview, next year should be the year of a settlement in Cyprus, urging all parties, and in particular Turkey, to step up efforts.