By Daisy Ayliffe - 29th November 2006
The European commission has dealt a heavy blow to Turkey’s EU entry bid – recommending the suspension of eight of the country’s 35 negotiating chapters.
If the commission’s plans are backed by member states at a meeting of foreign ministers, negotiations on eight chapters will be completely halted and crucially no chapters will be closed - until Turkey opens its ports to Cyprus.
“No chapters relevant to the Cyprus will be opened until the restrictions are lifted,” EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn told reporters on Wednesday.
“We recommend that no chapter be closed until Turkey has fulfilled its commitment,” he added.
The recommendation to EU governments came after talks on the Cyprus question collapsed on Monday
Turkey says it will only accept customs union with Cyprus if the EU eases its embargo on the Turkish-controlled north of the Mediterranean island.
Train crash?
On Wednesday Rehn attempted to put a positive spin on the move and assure an increasingly Euro-sceptic audience in Turkey that the accession progress remains alive and well.
“This is not a train crash and this is not a freeze of negotiations,” the commissioner argued.
“This is a slowing down. The train can still move on these recommendations.”
But many will be questioning how the negotiations can still be “on track” if no negotiating chapters can be closed.
Why eight chapters?
The EU executive argues that the decision to suspend eight of the 35 chapters was a “technical and legal” one.
Talks on the free movement of goods, right of establishment, financial services, agriculture, fisheries, transport, external relations and customs union have all ground to a complete halt.
“The eight chapters were closed after close consultation with our legal services and analysis of the relationship with customs union,” Rehn said.
But there is no escaping the intensely political nature of the commission pronouncement.
Mixed reactions
Pro-Turkey member states such as the UK argued that the EU should only suspend three negotiating chapters – those most closely linked to the Cyprus question.
"Just at the moment to send an adverse signal to Turkey I think would be a serious mistake for Europe long-term," UK Prime Minister Tony Blair told reporters on Wednesday.
Meanwhile France had pressed the commission to take a much harder line and recommend suspension of up to 17 chapters.
Germany's chancellor said on Wednesday she welcomed the EU pressure.
"The commission's decision sends a strong signal that we need approval of the Ankara protocol opening the seaports," Angela Merkel told reporters.
"A stronger verification clause would be desirable so that the council can review Turkey's progress, perhaps in 18 months time," she added.
Striking a balance
Rehn said the commission’s decision struck a balance between the divergent views.
“There are a wide range of positions among member states,” he said.
“That is why the commission made this announcement early [ahead of a December 11 meeting] to help member states find unity.”
Turkey has entered “extra time” he added.
Continuing with his football analogy he said, “there is still time to score a golden goal before the December 11 foreign ministers meeting.”
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