Europarlementariërs verwacht om Turkijerapport goed te keuren zonder genocideclausule (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Parliament is expected to approve a critical report on Turkey and its progress on EU membership talks, but MEPs have signalled they are prepared to drop the suggestion that Ankara must recognize the Armenian genocide before it can join the bloc.

The plenary vote on Wednesday (27 September) on the report by Dutch centre-right MEP Camiel Eurlings comes after weeks of heated discussions topped by a final plenary debate in Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Opening the parliamentary forum, Mr Eurlings said his report was "tough but fair," reflecting the EU legislature's regret about the slowing down of the reform process in Turkey.

He highlighted three key areas where improvement is necessary - freedom of expression, minority religion rights and the Cyprus issue.

EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn echoed the same concerns, urging Ankara to undertake "a more resolute reform process" and noting that he is "rather tired of repeating himself" on human rights issues.

"Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of the reforms. Journalists, authors, publishers and human-rights activists still face judiciary proceedings for violations of article 301 of the penal code on the vague grounds of 'insulting Turkishness'."

"It is now high time that Turkey amends the restrictive articles in the penal code" and brings them into line with basic EU principles, noted Mr Rehn, adding that the national leaders should pursue these reforms "for the sake of Turkish citizens, not merely to please the EU."

He also suggested that the country needs an "open and constructive exchange of views, also on "the most sensitive issues" - such as re-conciliation with its neighbours, including Armenia.

The parliamentary report - as adopted in the foreign policy committee - was particularly criticised in Turkey for its suggestion that Turkey should recognize the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 as a pre-condition of its EU membership.

However, both the centre-right and socialist debaters in the plenary hinted on Tuesday that they would vote against this particular article to prevent further controversy.

Cyprus deadlock

Concerning Turkey's reluctance to open up its ports and airspace to Cypriot ships and planes, both MEPs and commissioner Rehn noted that the EU's December deadline is fast approaching.

"The progress in the negotiations also depends on Turkey meeting its obligations," said commissioner Rehn, adding that Ankara's legally binding duty to fulfill the customs union accord with the EU is not linked with the bloc's political commitment to end economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community on the divided island.

Still, he praised the Finnish EU presidency for its effort to break the deadlock and prevent the suspension of Turkey's negotiations at the end of this year, stressing that it is in Europe's own interest that the country keep on its democratic path with the goal of joining the bloc.

"If Turkey succeeds, with our consistent support, it can become an ever sturdier bridge of civilisations, at a moment when the relationship between Europe and Islam is the greatest challenge of our time."

The European Commission will publish its annual report on Turkey's EU progress on 8 November - it is expected to suggest in the report what the EU should do if Ankara misses the deadline on Cyprus.