Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding accession negotiations with Turkey; the three most pressing issues that present for resolution at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39485/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in regard to the Cyprus situation in the context of European enlargement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39822/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in regard to future enlargement of the European Union with particular reference to Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39823/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 211 and 212 together.

Negotiations regarding Turkish accession to the European Union commenced on 3 October 2005. An extensive screening process is currently ongoing which closely scrutinises the compatibility of Turkish legislation with that of the EU. In all, there are 35 negotiating chapters in the accession process. After a Chapter has been screened, the EU can decide, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, whether the negotiations in that sector can proceed. In June 2006, the European Council welcomed the provisional closure of the Science and Research chapter with Turkey. To date, this is the only Chapter to have been provisionally concluded.

The European Commission published its annual enlargement package on 8 November 2006. In its assessment of Turkey's progress, the Commission states that reforms have continued but have slowed during the past year. Improvements are needed on freedom of expression, the rights of non-Muslim religious communities, women's rights, trade union rights and on civilian control of the military. Further progress in aligning its legislation with that of the Union is also required in a range of areas, among them agriculture; taxation; state aid; and the free movement of goods, workers and capital. The Commission also calls on Turkey to ensure full implementation of the Ankara Protocol and states that it will make relevant recommendations ahead of the December European Council if Turkey has not fulfilled its obligations.

It is difficult to prioritise particular issues, as all of the points identified in the Commission report require Turkey's active attention. However, it is clear that Turkey's non-implementation of the Ankara Protocol is complicating the accession negotiations and requires an immediate solution. Resolution of the problem would facilitate progress in the negotiations and enable the EU to continue to press Turkey to sustain and accelerate its reform process.

The Finnish Presidency is currently working on an initiative aimed at resolving the question of access to Turkish ports for Cypriot vessels in compliance with the Ankara Protocol. Ireland is supportive of these efforts and we hope that an agreement can be reached in the coming weeks. When I met with the Turkish Chief Negotiator, Mr. Ali Babacan, at the beginning of the month, I impressed upon him the importance we attach to the resolution of this issue so as to prevent the accession negotiations from being adversely affected.