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Jacques Chirac French President “It is our political interest to have Turkey on our side...” This is an important issue. On this subject, I have a deep conviction, which I know is not shared by everyone, which I accept. As I do not intend to impose my views, I will give you, at least, the different elements that must be taken into account to avoid taking a decision based on reasons that are slightly superficial.
There is a real debate concerning the expansion of the EU to Turkey. This debate takes place in France and it also takes place in other EU countries. There is no meeting with a Head of State or Government from the EU in which this subject is not mentioned. I believe that it is thus necessary to try to clarify objectively the terms of this problem. For this, it is necessary to distinguish two questions: Is Turkey's membership desirable and particularly desirable in principle? And secondly, is Turkey's membership possible and especially possible today? Those two questions actually make up the problem.
My conviction is that Turkey has a European vocation, but that its entry in the EU is only possible with some conditions, which are not fulfilled today.
First question: Is Turkey's membership desirable? Turkey's entry in the EU is certainly not desirable in the short term. However, my conviction is that it is desirable in the long run, naturally if the positive developments that we observe today in this country are confirmed. Why desirable in the long term? For two reasons: Firstly, Turkey has a European vocation. The history of the past centuries proves it. I do not wish to go back to King François the 1st, but Turkey's destiny was always deeply linked to Europe. Also, this country has always been associated with the European civilization.
Moreover, Turkey is today an important and loyal member of the Atlantic Alliance, the European Council, the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and
many other organizations, especially European ones. On the other hand, over forty years ago, in 1963, Turkey was offered the prospect of joining one day the European Union.
It was in 1963! This prospect has never been questioned, neither by the EU countries, i.e. our European partners, nor by the successive Presidents of the Republic and Governments in France since 1963. I would like to add that this European prospect was confirmed unanimously at the European Council of Helsinki in 1999. Consequently, Turkey is today a candidate country for EU membership. This is a fact. The second reason for this medium term justification is the advantages that Turkey's entry will present in the end. First of all, it is our political interest to have Turkey, which is a big state, on our side. It is our political interest to have a stable, modern, democratic Turkey, which has chosen secularism since 1924. Turkey, which accepts to share our objectives and values and, as such, can play a role model to the whole surrounding region. This prospect is undoubtedly preferable to Turkey making considerable efforts, by conviction, to adapt itself but being rejected or left aside for ethnic or religious reasons. This would fuel the arguments for those who, nowadays, advocate the clash of civilizations or try to oppose the West and Islam. Turkey's potential economic power, currently and potentially, and its development prospects also add an economic interest. Second question: Is Turkey's entry possible today? To this question, I answer no. It is necessary before being able to become an EU member to respect all the accession conditions. I do not believe that we can say that this is the case today. These conditions, as you know, are called the Copenhagen criteria, which clearly imply some democratic and human rights requirements. In terms of market economy and within this prospect, Turkey does not currently fulfil these conditions, which are imposed to all new EU member-state.
Turkey undoubtedly has made significant efforts during the past few years and has adopted our own criteria in various fields. However, there is still a long way to go… Besides, I would like to note that most of these reforms which it has accepted, promoted, voted by its Parliament, whether they are constitutional or not, were almost voted unanimously. This shows the Turks 'determination to respect the Copenhagen criteria, that is to say, our criteria… What will happen then? In October, the Commission will submit a report to the Council, to inform us about its opinion on the reality of the situation in Turkey concerning the Copenhagen criteria. Following the submission of this report, which the Council will study, there might be two hypotheses: The first hypothesis is that after having read the Commission report, the European Council considers that, indeed its progress is significant, but not yet sufficient. Consequently, we must give ourselves and Turkey the necessary time to finish off the reforms and implement them throughout its territory and public opinion before opening accession negotiations. First hypothesis. The second hypothesis is that the Council, in the light of the conclusions of the Commission report, considers that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen criteria and that accession negotiations can then start, which represents the next stage. These things must be clear. Supposing that the situation allows the accession negotiations to start as early as the beginning of next year, one should be aware that these negotiations will be long, very long. I have a long experience of accession negotiations. I was Minister of Agriculture when Britain joined the EU. I can tell you how that happened! These negotiations will be long, very long. Experience proves that they will last ten years, maybe more. They will be very difficult considering the requirements that Turkey will have to respect in order to join the EU. This implies to absorb what we call the acquis communautaire, i.e. all the EU economic, social, political and legal rules. Turkey will surely request time or some periods of transition, which will obviously be necessary. This will take time. Naturally, throughout these negotiations, there will be permanent political checks by the EU on the progress of the situation. It is only when the whole process ends and after a long time that we may come to a solution- in due terms and if we reach it. We shall then take a decision and therefore approve the results and a new accession treaty. Thus, every European nation, each EU member states should ratify or have the accession treaty ratified. This would then set the real question to people. It is only at that very moment that people, in the light of these developments, can decide to accept or not Turkey. The last decision belongs to people by definition. As far as French people are concerned, then again, France will decide either through Parliament vote or referendum. France will have to decide. However, this is a prospect of ten to fifteen years.M. Jose Manuel Durao Barroso European Commission President designate The new European Commission President is very cautious when answering questions regarding Turkey. Here are his comments on the subject:
"Regarding Turkey, I have to remain cautious as the European Commission President designate. We are waiting for a report prepared by the Commission. I would first like to read this report, before expressing an opinion with confidence and certainty. I know, through discussion with Mr Prodi, that the report is being carried out independently and objectively. However, I would like to share my personal opinion, the position that I have held before my nomination as Commission President Designate. I do not seek to avoid your question, my position is quite clear: if the criteria are fulfilled, then we should not close the door to Turkey. The European Union is a union based on universal values, and not values based on religion, values that exclude any particular country. However, Turkey must fully adhere to the Copenhagen criteria, as is the case with all member states, especially the political criteria as well as, of course, it would have to meet the economic conditions. This is my personal opinion, the one that I held as the Prime Minister of Portugal. As the Commission President, I must first see the report which the Commission is preparing and work with the member states and Turkey on the findings of this report."