’Let’s set Ankara criteria in motion’

To tell the truth, I have been greatly disappointed. I often talked to Olli Rehn for long hours and each time learned something new. He chooses his words and gets the message across. This time he either had no message to give or memorized what has been said because what we heard was neither interesting nor new. At some point we even asked ourselves, "Why are we here?" Olli Rehn must have taken a lesson from being misunderstood, that’s why he was playing acrobatics with words. One approach of his I liked the most was his reminder to the prime minister.

Erdoğan recently said that he might change the name "Copenhagen criteria to Ankara criteria" and continue on his path. Rehn referred to that and said that they are waiting for the prime minister to set in motion these Ankara criteria, which Erdoğan requests for his people. I have not heard anything new. Again appeals are made, "Let’s get moving." And questions like, "This year started out fast then what happened?" Speculations as to whether or not the AK Party (AKP) lost its enthusiasm.

Olli Rehn especially drew attention that nothing had changed from their point of view, no matter what France and Germany say. "Our target is to realize Turkey’s full membership in the European Union." Let me say this much, a "privileged partnership" as put forth by France and Germany, has not yet reached the EU Commission. The Commission does not attach any importance to these calls. The only expectation is Ankara getting into motion.

- Keeping promised words and starting the reform process.

- Accelerating steps toward a solution in Cyprus.

- Finding a formula to reopen the seminary.

- Overcoming limitations of freedom of thought and those applied on the press.

By the way, I have news for those involved: the European Commission will allocate a broad chapter on limitations of Freedom of the Press in the Progress Report, which is to be published in Fall.

In Olli Rehn’s recent contacts and meetings with Washington and the Vatican, Turkey was also one subject. He talked about the importance attached to Turkey’s full membership by the Obama administration and couldn’t help but say, "But the final decision is not to be made by Obama but the 27 European countries," all of a sudden reminding everyone of not trusting Obama too much.

My impression is that Olli Rehn is waiting for a green light from Ankara and as long as this green light is not in sight discomfort will increase.

If I were to summarize, there was nothing new Rehn could inform us about.

Questions he asked us and answers he received, especially those regarding Hasan Cemal, were far more interesting. In the coming days I will more broadly tell you about my Brussels impressions. By the time you read these lines we will be at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I will tell you about how the pulse beats in Berlin in my article tomorrow.

EU gets ready for ’rudeness’

I chewed on my nails not to ask this question but finally could not resist and said, "Which abbreviation do you use for the party in power?" First he didn’t understand When Diego Mellado, representative from the EU Commission's Ankara office, became aware of this tricky question, he came flying across and whispered in his ear, "Erdoğan says those who don’t say AK Party are rude," saving his boss. To tell the truth, I did not intend to put Rehn in a bad position of course, but I wondered much.

Rehn gave a exsample from his country and told us about how these constraints create adverse reactions in public, no matter how much reaction is shown. During these conversations I realized that throughout all Progress Reports the abbreviation AKP was used consistently when referring to the ruling party. And this will continue until the fall. You see, the EU formally prepares for rudeness! Of course, if until then someone does not whisper something in somebody’s ear, that is. The situation in the European Parliament was different though. It drew my attention that Liberal Group leader Watson never said AKP. On the contrary he said Ak Party. Associate parliamentarians understood the severity of the situation quickly. Nevertheless, don’t be fooled by Watson. There is no doubt that when the parliament resumes you’ll hear the AKP abbreviation a lot. This speech by the prime minister was not intimidating, but on the contrary it caused parties to solidify in opposition even further.