Turkey Unveils Reform Agenda For EU Accession

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

23 April 2007

Following the restarting of EU accession talks late last month, and in line with the country's pledge to work to its own agenda rather than that laid out by the European Union, Turkey last week unveiled a six-year plan for technical reforms which would bring it into accordance with European legislation in many areas.

In late March, the second of the 35 negotiating chapters, concerning enterprise and industry was opened, and the German EU presidency stated that it hoped to open a further three chapters before June.

The negotiations stalled last year over Turkey's refusal to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic, a stance which, the Turkish government argues, has resulted from the failure of the EU thus far to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot part of the Island.

In early March, Turkey's Economy Minister and chief EU negotiator, Ali Babacan revealed that the Turkish authorities planned to set their own pace for the reforms necessary to secure the country's accession to the European Union.

Mr Babacan revealed that there had been "huge disappointment" amongst Turkish citizens when the eight chapters in question were frozen over the Cyprus issue, and that the Turkish authorities had now developed their own priorities and deadlines, which were outlined in more detail last week.

Speaking to reporters last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul revealed that the reforms include updates in policy areas still deemed frozen by the EU authorities over the Cyprus dispute.

The AFP quoted the Foreign Minister last week as explaining that:

"The problematic issues are mostly political. We cannot cling to them and remain at a standstill. When the political problems are one day resolved, we will meet with the EU and it will take us half an hour to open and close those chapters."

The 400 page timetable for reforms will reportedly require the Turkish authorities to enact around 200 pieces of legislation, and put in place several hundred new regulations.

The European Commission has welcomed the Turkish roadmap, but has declined to comment on the provisional 2013 accession date proposed by the Turkish government.

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