Written answers

Thursday, 28 October 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

EU Enlargement

6:00 am

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 74: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether EU enlargement to date has been a success; if there are any individual countries where he believes the capacity of the EU to assimilate has been less successful, in view of the scale of the Turkish land mass; his further view on the biggest challenges for the EU regarding the successful completion of Turkeys application for membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39636/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As a beneficiary of a past enlargement, and on the experience of more recent accessions, Ireland is broadly supportive of enlargement. The prospect of enlargement bolsters economic and political reform processes and helps to promote stability, security and prosperity in Europe. The process includes rigorous conditionality and must take into account the capacity of the EU to integrate new members. Enlargement has to be negotiated and, as in any negotiation, the eventual outcome and timeframe cannot be predicted.

The European Union enjoys a long and close relationship with Turkey. Accession negotiations were opened in 2005 and Ireland continues to make a constructive input to on-going negotiations.

The European Council affirmed in 2006 that the pace of enlargement must take into account the Union's capacity to absorb new members. With a population of 72 million and a landmass of some 300,000 square miles, the absorption of Turkey would represent a significant addition to the EU's population and size.

The EU's absorption capacity will therefore be a factor to be taken into account as the negotiations advance. It is worth noting as an historical fact that the Union, which originally comprised 6 members and a population of approximately 200 million, now numbers 27 and has a population of some 500 million. Adaptation to that expansion has been achieved, both institutionally and economically, and the Union has benefited from it. The pace of assimilation may have varied from case to case but overall it has been a successful process.

These factors shape Ireland's approach to Turkey's candidacy. There are, in addition, potential gains to the single market and to trade through the accession of a country of Turkey's size. The Union's reach and influence in the Middle East and Central Asia could be enhanced through Turkish accession.

However, there are some significant challenges ahead for Turkey in meeting the established criteria in a number of areas. One of these is acceptance of the terms of the Ankara Protocol where progress in the negotiations has been disappointingly slow.

Successive European Councils have highlighted Turkey's continued non-compliance with its obligations under the Ankara Protocol by continuing to refuse to open its ports and airports to vessels and aircraft from the Republic of Cyprus. The Council decided in 2006 that eight chapters of the accession framework could not be opened and no further chapters would be provisionally closed until Turkey fulfils its commitments in this regard. These measures remain in place.

The matter is kept under review by EU Ministers in the Council, most recently at their meeting last December. We will do so again before the end of this year. An Intergovernmental Conference with Turkey at Ministerial level was held in June, where enlargement was reviewed.

At the bilateral level I have met twice with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, in March and more recently in September. Minister Davutoglu outlined the progress Turkey has made on reforms in a number of areas as it has sought to bring Turkey more in line with the EU acquis . He explained how the accession negotiations provide a strong incentive for Turkey to pursue reforms, strengthen democracy and human rights and further modernise the country.

In the course of both meetings, I reiterated to Minister Davutoglu Ireland's support for the Turkish candidacy. At the same time, I noted the Council's deep regret at Turkey's continued non-compliance with its obligations under the Ankara Protocol and I highlighted the need for Turkey to make progress towards normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus.

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Mr. Egemen Bagis, plans to visit Dublin in November and we look forward to discussing further the progress Turkey has made in reforms following passage of the recent referendum on constitutional reform, and the challenges which still lie ahead.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.