MEPs turn up heat on Turkey

Bitter rows over Turkey’s EU entry talks in the European Parliament signal trouble ahead and mirror hardening attitudes in a number of EU capitals.

MEPs suspended a vote on Turkey in the European Parliament on Wednesday, postponing assent to an EU-Turkey customs agreement, known as the Ankara Protocol, signed at the end of July.

The move effectively delays extension of customs union to ten new EU member states and was criticised by European Commissioner for Enlargement, Ollie Rehn.

Rehn attacked parliament’s decision to postpone the vote, but insisted that EU membership talks with Turkey would still go ahead on October 3.

"I regret the decision of the European Parliament. However, this is a postponement not a rejection.” he told reporters.

“Unfortunately it does not strengthen our position in urging Turkey to stick to its commitment to ratify and implement the protocol without delay.”

“The postponement has no impact on the start of the negotiations, since the only condition related to the protocol was its signature by Turkey, which has taken place.”

Attacks

Liberal MEP and Vice-President of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Andrew Duff, described the move as "short-sighted and mean-spirited."

He added that it could delay the possibility of relaxing embargos against Turkish North Cyprus.

Richard Howitt, Labour's spokesperson on foreign affairs condemned the move as “absurd,” echoing Rehn’s belief that postponement could not scupper the timetable for talks.

"This is an absurd position for European conservatives to vote to delay implementation of an agreement they say they want Turkey to honour,” he declared.

"Nothing has happened today that will stop the talks going ahead next week."

Cypriot recognition by 2007

MEPs from across the political spectrum said Turkey should be issued with a tight deadline on customs union – and an ultimatum to recognise Nicosia by 2007, or talks terminate.

"During the negotiations, recognition of Cyprus must take place,” Socialist leader Martin Schultz told MEPs in Strasbourg.

“That cannot be at the end of the negotiations. It must take place immediately, within the first one or two years. If there is no recognition of Cyprus, the accession negotiations must be broken off."

Wednesday’s protest lead by the centre-right followed a damning speech by Christian Democrat leader, Hans-Gert Poettering in which he slammed Ankara’s “unacceptable” rebuttal of customs union.

From Ankara to Zagreb

During a tempestuous plenary session, the German centre-right MEP attacked European double standards, and asked why the EU was so inviting to Ankara but hostile to Zagreb.

“Everyone shut their eyes on the human rights issue in Turkey while Croatia was to be refused the start of negotiations because a single general - one who was plainly not even in Croatia - had not yet been delivered up to the Hague Tribunal,” he insisted.

As Christian Democrats shouted in protest, Schulz hit out at Poettering, accusing him of religious discrimination.

"You would be better to say that your group doesn't want Turkey as a full member of the EU. That is what this is all about and that is what you are dodging," he cried.

"You don't want to have Turkey because it is Islamic and far away. Croatia is closer and is Catholic. That is the truth of your message.  Let us not beat about the bush.  We must apply the same standards to all countries."

Political barometer

The outburst may prove to be an accurate political weather vane, forecasting further stormy spells and unsettled periods if anti-Turkish, Angela Merkel becomes Germany’s next chancellor.

The leader of Germany’s CDU party, has said she would only be prepared to offer Turkey something short of full EU membership.

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