Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the Vice Chairman in extending a warm welcome to our Turkish colleagues. I am heartened by the fact that the Turkish issue is back on the agenda. I have long been a supporter of Turkish negotiations with the EU, which are good for both parties. The process is good for Turkey in that certain requirements of the acquis communautaire must be complied with. I do not doubt the importance of that in negotiations and to the future Turkish access to Europe and the speed with which it can become a member state. Hopefully, more negotiations will take place in contrast to the recent period of abeyance. That lull was not good. If accession discussions drag on too long, the credibility of the process is called into question, which benefits no one.

Among the issues which come to mind is the ongoing Kurdish problem. It represents a problem for the EU, Turkey and the Kurds. The question is the extent to which an accommodation can be reached in the context of the negotiations now taking place which is sufficient to reassure the EU, accommodate the Kurds and permit Turkey to proceed to the next stage. Turkey has an important role to play in the current circumstances pertaining in the Middle East and western Balkans. The EU must recognise and encourage that. The EU must draw on the influence and peaceful, positive resources Turkey has at its disposal to ensure progress in that part of the world. Cyprus represents another issue which has been in abeyance for some time. We have some experience of problems which appear to be insoluble in Ireland. They have to be dealt with eventually. It is only natural that the Cyprus issue should be examined more closely in the context of negotiations. Hopefully, an accommodation will be arrived at which benefits and satisfies everyone.