Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding ongoing talks on an eventual entry into the European Union by Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30888/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following the adoption of conclusions by the Council on 3rd October 2005, accession negotiations were opened with Turkey. Under the terms of the agreed Negotiating Framework, these accession negotiations are an open-ended process, the outcome of which cannot be guaranteed beforehand.

In all, there are thirty five negotiating chapters which deal with a range of policy areas. To date, four chapters have been opened with Turkey. Benchmarks have been agreed for thirteen other chapters. These benchmarks identify areas where further progress should be made by Turkey before negotiations begin on these particular chapters. On 6th November last, the European Commission published its annual package of enlargement reports. These include an assessment of progress made by candidate countries in meeting EU membership criteria.

In respect of Turkey, the Commission noted that following the constitutional crisis in spring of this year, early parliamentary elections were held in full respect of democratic standards and of the rule of law. Against this background, only limited progress was achieved on political reforms during 2007. Significant further reforms are needed in particular on freedom of expression, the rights of non-Muslim religious communities and on civilian control of the military. Further progress is also needed in the fight against corruption, the judicial system, trade union rights and women's and children's rights. In the South-East, Turkey needs also to create the conditions for the predominantly Kurdish population there to enjoy full rights and freedoms.

The Commission reports that Turkey continued to make progress against economic criteria for accession over the course of the last year. With regard to the alignment of Turkey's legislation with that of the EU, progress was reported in a number of areas and further alignment should be pursued in areas including agriculture, fisheries, food safety and the environment. The Commission also noted that Turkey has not yet fulfilled its obligations under the Ankara Protocol by opening its ports and airports to vessels and aircraft from the Republic of Cyprus. In December 2006, the Council of Ministers agreed that eight specific negotiating chapters cannot be opened, nor will any chapters be provisionally concluded, until the Commission verifies that Turkey has fulfilled its commitments under this Protocol.