Turkey presses the EU to set a target date for full membership

"The EU process has made Turkey a more foreseeable country. Since a date has not been set for Turkey's membership to the EU, it is Turkey's own initiative when and how to make reforms. Whenever our membership date-timetable becomes clear, we can then display a different stance," said Babacan, who hosted a breakfast in Ankara in honor of the ambassadors of EU-member and candidate countries on the occasion of May 9, Europe Day.

Turkey has started the accession negotiations on Oct. 3, 2005, the same day as Croatia. The EU has said in the negotiations framework that membership could not happen until 2015 due to budgetary issues, and is yet to set a date. On the other hand Croatia is expected to become the EU's 28th member in 2009.

"Turkey's target is to become a full member of the EU. Therefore, we expect the Union to display a stimulative attitude in the negotiation process instead of creating political obstacles," Babacan added.

Turkey's EU negotiation process faces political obstacles rather than technical ones. The EU had suspended negotiations in eight chapters due to Ankara's decision not to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels. France and Austria have been pressing to put an alternative to the EU membership on the table.

Such political obstacles resulted in a decline in support to the EU among Turkish people as well as reluctance in the government for reforms.

The AKP has set to give a new impetus to EU reforms amending the controversial Article 301, and plans to put forward a reform to overhaul judicial system.

The EU is expected to start talks on two more chapters in the accession negotiations with Turkey, bringing the total to eight out of 35 chapters that candidates are required to complete. The chapters on intellectual property law and company law are expected to open at an EU accession conference scheduled for June 17.

ARMY-BARROSO AT ODDS
Although EU-Turkey relations seem to be awakening, the European Commission and the Turkish army are at odds over definitions of Turkey.

The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said Thursday full democracy and "democratic secularism" is needed in Turkey in order to become an EU member and secularism can not be imposed.

The EU official’s recent emphasis on Turkey's "secular and democratic" structure caused reaction from the Turkish army and media. Turkey's powerful army rejected such definitions, saying the country doesn't need any adjectives to be described.Â

Barroso said on Thursday the EU had "concerns" over the recent developments in Turkey, citing the closure case filed against the ruling AKP. He added such a case was not common and there was also controversy over the fundamental principles of the state's organization.

Turkey's top prosecutor filed in March a closure case against the AKP, claiming the ruling party became the focal point of anti-secular activities and demanded 71 officials be banned from politics. The EU has criticized the move and threatened to suspend negotiations if the AKP is closed.    Â

Barroso said the EU should continue negotiations with Turkey in a fair way, adding the failure of fair negotiations could be disappointing for people struggling for freedom of thought and Turkey's membership to the Union.