Greens: Reform and Trust Key to EU

Concluding the Greens/EFA conference "Turkey in the EU: A common future?" today in Istanbul, Monica Frassoni, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and Joost Lagendijk, Chair of the Joint Parliamentary delegation EU-Turkey issued a public statement appreciating the changes in Turkish political and legal system, and calling Turkey further reforms and trust their friends in the EU for the country’s accession in the Union.

Taboos addressed

"After three days of intense debate with Turkish politicians, representatives of Turkish civil society, media representatives, artists and scientists, we have gained a clearer picture of what is at stake from the question of Turkey's entry into the EU. All sides tried to be open and to address taboos."

"The European Commission's recommendations to the Heads of State and Governments, who will meet on the 17 December, contain an unambiguous message: Yes, start the negotiations. Turkey may not be happy with some of the conditions and criticisms contained in this document. But we say: Don't take your eyes off the ball. The crucial point is that negotiations will be opened."

Progress still needed

"The recommendations state that the conditions for opening of the negotiations are sufficiently fulfilled, which does not however mean that they are hundred percent fulfilled. We know and Turkey knows that there are still a lot of problems to be resolved to achieve this hundred percent figure. Progress is still needed on human rights issues, minority rights, women's' rights, and democratization. The Greens will remain critical on these issues and will watch over the measures taken to resolve them. For us the improvement of women's position in society will especially be the litmus test for the progress of Turkish society as a whole. The new penal code is a step in the right direction, but there is still much to be done."

"At this conference, it became clear that Turkey should stimulate diversity. This will make it easier for the country to join the EU and also for Europeans to understand Turkey. During this conference we met many writers, musicians, singers and intellectuals. They are Turkey's best ambassadors and should be sent out into the European Member States to prove their country's strong European credentials."

Turkey changed

"In the past, the Greens often criticized Turkey and people now ask; why are we the first European party to hold a conference in this country? It is not because the Greens have changed, it is because Turkey has changed and we want to encourage Turkish society to continue along this path of change. Our conference marked the beginning of a profound and open dialogue, which will be of mutual benefit to all those involved." (YE)