On November 8, in its annual report on Turkey, the European Commission criticised Ankara for slowing down reforms on human rights and for refusing to open its ports and airports to Greek Cyprus, whose government is recognised by the EU as the government of the whole island. As a result, Turkey was given until mid-December to come to terms with the EU or risk a crisis in its EU accession talks. Turkey’s ambassador to Bulgaria Mehmet Gucuk commented to Yana Moyseeva on the report.

What was your reaction to the European Commission’s report on Turkey’s progress published on November 8?
Full membership of Turkey in the EU is our fundamental strategic objective. With the starting of the accession process, a significant threshold has been passed in Turkey’s 50 year political and 40 year contractual process of integration with the EU. By any measure, this has been a historic step and has created positive  repercussions on a global scale.

The 2006 regular report confirms the commitment of the Turkish government to the reform process and outlines the progress which has been achieved. While stressing that legislation in many areas is in alignment with the EU, the report  states that problems arise in implementation. Naturally, the report also contains elements with which we disagree. Turkey’s views in this regard will be conveyed to the Commission in due course, as done every year.

Some of the areas in which more progress is expected or shortcomings identified are those which Turkey is already adressing sensitively and to which the Turkish public opinion attaches high importance. No reference to the fact that these matters are also top agenda items in Turkey is a shortcoming of the report.

The reforms are a process which requires continuity. All the steps that have to be taken in the legislative and administrative fields primarily for the welfare and the benefit of the Turkish people will naturally continue.

As for the section in the report on Cyprus and the implementation of the Additional Protocol, the divergence of views between Turkey and the EU have been reflected in the report. Turkey’s views and efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem are well known by all parties. The Cyprus question is a political question and is not an obligation in the context of our accession process, which is of a technical nature.

At the Summit of the EU heads of state and government on December 14-15 2006, a decision will be taken on the views put forward by the Commission. The responsibility to act in accordance with political common sense and the principle of Pacta Sund Servanda passes on to the EU member states. In this sense, Turkey considers this period leading to the December Summit as an opportunity for reflection on Turkey-EU relations. In this period, Turkey will continue to share with her EU partners in an open manner and at every level and opportunity her views and concerns on the issues outlined in the regular report and strategy paper.

Do you agree or disagree with the criticisms states in the report, such as regarding the need for Turkey to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels, human rights breaches, and so on?
As I already mentioned before, the Cyprus problem is not an issue which is directly related to Turkey’s accession talks. However it is wrongly presented as an impediment in this process. Turkey sincerely wants and has exerted genuine effort towards a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus and is of the view that such a solution must be found under the UN and on the basis of the long-established UN parameters which are bizonality, political equality and equal status and a new partnership state structure. The Turkish Cypriot people endorsed with an overwhelming majority the UN Comprehensive Settlement Plan for Cyprus in the April 2004 referendum, a plan which was also supported by Turkey. A historic opportunity was missed due to the Greek Cypriot vote against the plan. The EU’s prior decision to grant full membership to  the Greek Cypriot Administration regardless of the outcome of the referendum unfortunately gave the Greek Cypriot leadership  the liberty of campaigning  for a “No” vote and ultimately attaining it.

Turkey  and the Turkish Cypriot side continue to strongly support the mission of the UN Secretary General on the Cyprus question. The Turkish Cypriot side has already given its support to the 8th of July agreement  (for the establishment of working groups to take up issues)  and its consent to the UN suggestions for its implementation in due course. The main thrust of this new process should be full-fledged negotiations on substantial issues between the two leaders of the Island.

Furthermore, a very constructive proposal made by  Turkey on  January 24 2006 for the simultaneous lifting of all restrictions related to the Island remains on the table.

The EU Council, basically due to its dismay about the “No” vote of the Greek Cypriots to the UN Plan, on April 26 2004, has made a commitment to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. But two years have passed and no tangible result was obtained in the fulfilment of this commitment because of the opposition of the Greek Cypriots.

As for the situation on  human rights,  following the concrete prospect given to Turkey at  Helsinki, a process of political and economic reforms has been launched. The unprecedented scope and pace of the reforms have quite appropriately been defined as “a silent revolution” by EU circles. Two comprehensive constitutional amendments have been enacted  together with nine reform packages. The successive harmonization packages has led to a complete overhaul of our basic legal codes, bringing the Turkish legislation in line with EU standards. These reforms have addressed a number of highly contentious topics formerly considered taboos in Turkish society.Very few countries have experienced a transformation as rapid and comprehensive as Turkey has. 

The intense and comprehensive legislative reform process  in Turkey aiming to strengthen democracy, consolidate the rule of law, reinforce and safeguard fundamental freedoms and rights, protect and promote respect for minorities has had tangible impact in the everyday lives of  Turkish citizens. But naturally it takes time for the reform process to be fully reflected in practice.

In addition to the international mechanisms with which Turkey maintains full cooperation, effective national monitoring mechanisms have been set up to ensure full implementation.

Individual incidents may occur in implementation. Fulfilling Copenhagen political criteria is not a simple task that can be achieved overnight.

The reforms have not been limited to the political criteria but have been backed by important structural reforms in the economic field. The economic policies have yielded concrete and quantitatively visible results in our basic macroeconomic indicators. Today the Turkish economy is the 17th largest economy in the world. During the last four years the cumulative growth rate has reached 40 per cent. Predictions are made to the effect that Turkey will become the sixth largest economy in Europe in the next 10 years with a GDP that will reach $800 billion.

What is your prediction, will Turkey comply by EU's requirements and open its ports and harbours to Greek Cypriot vessels by the end of this year?
The EU Council’s commitment on April 26 2004 was “to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots”. The Turkish Cypriot people have been suffering under an unjust embargo for over 40 years, politically, economically, culturally as well as socially. There are no legal or moral reasons to further isolate the Turkish Cypriots.

But unfortunately this has not been realised. Protocol number 10 on Cyprus is undoubtedly an integral part of the EU aquis. In the preamble of this protocol, the EU member states, including the Greek Cypriot side, reaffirm their commitment to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Article three of the operational part of the Protocol stipulates that nothing in this Protocol shall preclude measures with a view to promoting the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots.

Turkey is told that the EU Council’s Declaration to that effect was a “political intention” rather than a legal obligation. A selective approach to “legal” or “political”  commitments  in a piecemeal fashion at one side’s convenience is better avoided in order not to display contradictory postures.  We should not forget that  the EU membership of “Cyprus” based on the unilateral application of the Greek Cypriot Administration was in  fact in contravention of the 1959-1960 Treaties on Cyprus, thus constituted a violation of international law, since the said Treaties prohibit Cyprus from joining any international organization of  which both Turkey and Greece are not members. At that very juncture, Turkey was told that it was a “political”decision.

Despite this major legal impediment and despite the fact that the Greek Cypriot side voted against a solution, they were awarded with membership in the EU. And unlike previous examples, the Union did not oblige “Cyprus” to solve its border disputes before joining the EU.

If not, what effect do you believe this will this have on the negotiation process?
Turkey is a country lying at the confluence of many geographic, historic and cultural traditions that have immensely contributed to the shaping of the modern world. It has the longest running democracy in a vast region to its South and east; it is one of the most vibrant economies in the world; it has a young and well-educated and dynamic population bent on the future; an energetic entrepreneurial and  proffessional class trading with the world; and it is soon to become the energy terminal of the region linking Eastern reserves with western market.

Turkey’s modernisation efforts in practical terms goes back to centuries; it has been a part of Europe in one way or another for many centuries and today is a member in almost all European economic, political and defense organisations. The reform process in Turkey is a commitment to the aspirations of the Turkish people for the  highest standart of democracy. Turkey on its part is determined to advance along the path of modernisation and reform. This is because  attaining the highest political, economic and social standards remains the overriding national objective of the Turkish people.

Turkey will continue its efforts to fulfil its obligations towards the EU  with good will and determination. Reciprocal fulfillment of  commitments and the continuation  by  both sides  to exert the necessary effort to sustain and advance the accession process on its own merits, free of political agendas is of utmost importance.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Turkish-EU relations have a long  history. These relations, over the course of nearly half a century have had their ups and downs but have always managed to overcome difficulties.

Ultimately Turkey’s EU membership will open up new horizons and will be to  the benefit of both sides. It is also important to note that since 1996 Turkey has been in a Customs Union with the EU, an arrangement that no other candidate country had prior to membersip.

And finally, if Turkey is denied EU membership, do you think its relationship with Bulgaria will somehow change?
Turkish-Bulgarian relations have been constantly improving during the past years and have reached a very good level. Both countries maintain a very active  and open dialogue in all areas. Economic relations continue to develop in full speed. Bilateral trade volume has tripled  in the past three years. There is  still  large potential to further widen and deepen  co-operation and both sides  have the the political will towards this aim.

There are many factors that bring Bulgaria and Turkey closer to each other and provide a sound base for good relations: geographic proximity - sharing a  common region and  having common borders-cultural historical ties, complementary economies and vibrant markets with vast potentials,  commitment to common universal ideals and values and similar foreign policy tendencies are to name a few. Thus we  believe that  this environment will enable  the positive trend in our relations to  continue independent of Turkey’s EU membership.