The Hindu : International : Talks on Turkey's E.U. entry likely soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 30, 2004

International

International

Talks on Turkey's E.U. entry likely soon

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, AUG. 29. Turkey's move for gaining membership of the European Union has received a fresh momentum with the current Dutch presidency of the Union calling for speedy talks to get the process on track. With a population of 70 millions, Turkey will be the second largest member state of the E.U. after Germany if it succeeds in its effort.

However, Centre-Right sections in the E.U. are not happy about the idea of the Muslim majority Turkey joining the Union, especially in the wake of the 9/11 events and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism.

Ankara is currently engaged in a series of political, social and economic reforms to meet the E.U.'s criteria for membership, based on the principles of multi-party democracy, governance under the umbrella of rule of law and free market economy.

A top priority

Netherlands, the current president of the E.U., has stated that Turkey's membership is its "top priority" and recommended that the European Commission should open talks in this regard within 24 months. A final decision on this will be taken in December at an E.U. summit.

Those against admitting Turkey into the E.U. argue that democratic laws have not trickled down to the lower bureaucratic level that country and that there are reports of violence against women and violation of human rights in its prisons.

The issue of Turkey's membership is a highly sensitive and divisive one with many Europeans feeling that its entry may challenge — as the former French President and Chairman of the European Forum, Valery Giscard d'Estaing put it: "The Christian and secular heritage of the E.U. nation states."

Those on the other side of the divide argue that denying Turkey membership would hand Islamic fundamentalists a victory since they have been opposing the move.

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