By Nicola Smith - 7th April 2004
Turkish leaders on Thursday sought to play down opposition from leading figures within the French government to Ankara’s EU ambitions.
New French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier sparked a political storm on Wednesday by insisting Paris would oppose Turkey’s EU membership “under the current circumstances.”
In an address to the French Parliament Barnier, who was an EU commissioner until just two weeks ago, said France would reject the Muslim state’s application because it had not fulfilled the correct criteria.
“Turkey does not respect the conditions, even if it is preparing to do so,” he said.
His remarks were compounded by Alain Juppe, leader of the centre right UMP and close adviser to President Jacques Chirac, who said that countries on the outskirts of the EU such as Turkey “have no business joining [the bloc] otherwise it will be diluted.”
Echoing recent statements by leader of the German Christian Democrats, Angela Merkel, Juppe called instead for a “privileged partnership” with Turkey on the same footing as one that would be extended to north African and former Soviet countries.
But Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul played down the remarks as an attempt to play to domestic political concerns in the run up to the European elections.
“Various exaggerated words can be said for reasons related to domestic politics,” he told reporters, according to Anatolia news agency.
Justice Minister Cemil Cecik said, “I prefer to see the statements as aimed at domestic politics” ahead of the European Parliament elections, reports AFT.
“I hope their opinion will change after the elections,” he added.
The issue is set to be a politically contentious during the election period, in particular in Germany where recent negative campaigning by the CDU has threatened to split Muslim and non-Muslim voters.
The European Commission has consistently said it will recommend the opening of formal entry talks with Ankara if Turkey meets a raft of political, economic and judiciary reforms by the end of the year.
The commission noted “significant progress” in an assessment report last November in Turkey’s efforts to meet EU conditions.
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