Turkey
14. The Council reaffirms the importance it attaches to EU relations with Turkey. Turkey is a
candidate country and a key partner for the European Union. In this context, the Council
welcomes the conduct of the recent parliamentary elections in June 2011, held in full respect
of democratic standards and the rule of law. The high voter turnout and the broader
representation in the new Parliament demonstrate the commitment of the Turkish people to
democracy, stability and progress.
15. The Council also notes that Turkey's dynamic economy, which continues to grow at a
sustained pace, provides a contribution to the prosperity of the whole European continent.
With its close trade and investment links with the EU, Turkey is a valuable part of Europe’s
competitiveness. Furthermore, the Council acknowledges the influential regional role of
Turkey in supporting reforms, including with regard to recent developments in Northern
Africa.
16. The Council welcomes Turkey's continued commitment to the negotiation process and the
political reform agenda, also reaffirmed by the establishment of the new EU Ministry.
Important priorities have been addressed, including the civilian oversight of security forces,
the reform of the judiciary, freedom of religion and the ratification of the Optional Protocol to
the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT). Reiterating that the constitutional reform
package is an important step in the right direction, the Council continues to emphasise that
implementation in line with European standards remains key. The Council welcomes
Turkey’s first steps towards constitutional reform and encourages Turkey to ensure the
broadest possible consultation in this work, involving all political parties and civil society.
The Council expects that implementation and follow-up of the democratic opening, notably to
address the Kurdish issue, will start producing the expected results. The constitutional reform
provides a useful framework in that respect.
17. Building on progress made, the Council invites Turkey to further improve the observance of
fundamental rights and freedoms in law and in practice, in particular in the area of freedom of
expression. The restrictions in practice on the freedom of the media, the large number of legal
cases launched against writers, journalists, academics and human rights defenders, and
frequent website bans all raise serious concerns that need to be addressed. Further efforts
towards fully meeting the Copenhagen criteria are also required, inter alia, as regards freedom
of religion, property rights, trade union rights, rights of persons belonging to minorities,
women's and children’s rights, anti-discrimination and gender equality, and the fight against
torture and ill-treatment. The recent adoption of legislation amending the Law of foundations
that aims at facilitation of recovery of confiscated property of non-Muslim communities is an
important and welcome step, provided it is implemented effectively.
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18. The Council condemns all acts of terrorism perpetrated on Turkish territory in the strongest
terms and expresses its full solidarity with Turkey. It recalls that PKK is on the EU list of
terrorist organisations. The Council reiterates its resolute support and readiness to intensify
dialogue and cooperation with Turkey in its fight against terrorism, which must be conducted
with due regard for human rights, fundamental freedoms and international law, while
preserving regional peace and stability.
19. Turkey has continued to be active in its wider neighbourhood, and remains an important
regional player in the Middle East, the Western Balkans, Afghanistan/Pakistan, the Southern
Caucasus, and the Horn of Africa. In line with the principles set out in the Negotiating
Framework, the Council encourages Turkey to develop its foreign policy as a complement to
and in coordination with the EU, and to progressively align with EU policies and positions. In
this regard, the Council remains committed to further reinforcing the EU’s existing political
dialogue with Turkey on foreign policy issues of mutual interest.
20. Turkey is one of the key countries of origin and transit for illegal immigration to the EU, and
the Council encourages the Commission and Turkey to launch in line with the established
practice a dialogue on visa, mobility and migration, and underlines the need for the
conclusion of the negotiated EU-Turkey readmission agreement and its effective
implementation. Pending this, adequate implementation of existing bilateral readmission
agreements and readmission provisions contained in similar agreements remains a priority.
21. In line with the Negotiating Framework and previous European Council and Council
conclusions, the Council underlines that Turkey needs to commit itself unequivocally to good
neighbourly relations and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United
Nations Charter, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice. In this
context, the Union expresses serious concern and urges the avoidance of any kind of threat or
action directed against a Member State, or source of friction or actions, which could damage
good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Furthermore, the EU
stresses again all the sovereign rights of EU Member States which include, inter alia, entering
into bilateral agreements, and to explore and exploit their natural resources in accordance with
the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
22. The Council regrets Turkey’s statements to freeze its relations with the EU Presidency during
the second half of 2012, and underlines that the Presidency of the Council of the EU is
provided for in the Treaty on European Union.
23. Recalling its conclusions of 11 December 2006 and the declaration of 21 September 2005, the
Council notes with deep regret that Turkey, despite repeated calls, continues refusing to fulfil
its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the
Association Agreement towards all Member States. This could provide a significant boost to
the negotiation process. In the absence of progress on this issue, the Council will maintain its
measures from 2006, which will have a continuous effect on the overall progress of the
negotiations. Furthermore, Turkey has still not made progress towards the necessary
normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus. The Council invites
the Commission to monitor closely and specifically report on all issues covered by the
declaration of the European Community and its Member States of 21 September 2005 in its
forthcoming annual report. On this basis, the Council will continue to closely follow and
review progress made, in accordance with its conclusions of 11 December 2006 and 14
December 2010. Progress is now expected without further delay.
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24. As emphasised by the Negotiating Framework, the Council also expects Turkey to actively
support the ongoing negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the
Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security
Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded. Turkey’s
commitment and contribution in concrete terms to such a comprehensive settlement is crucial.
25. Recalling that negotiations have reached a more demanding stage, the Council notes that
Turkey will be able to accelerate the pace of negotiations by advancing in the fulfilment of
benchmarks, meeting the requirements of the Negotiating Framework and by respecting its
contractual obligations towards the EU.
26. In this context, the Council takes positively note of the Commission’s proposal for a positive
agenda with Turkey. The Council underlines that a positive agenda should support the
negotiation process, in line with the Negotiating Framework and the relevant Council
conclusions. The agenda could cover a broad range of areas of common interest including
political reforms, foreign policy dialogue, alignment with the EU acquis, visas, mobility and
migration, trade, energy, the fight against terrorism and participation in EU programmes.
Turkey’s contribution to the EU will only be fully effective in the context of a credible
approach to the negotiation process.
http://consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/126577.pdf
well to be expected...turkey has been told...
