07/10/2004 11:04:29 am
Welcome, Turkey! The European Commission recommends the EU to start accession talks with Turkey. The decision will be taken at a European Summit in mid-December. The recommendation is based on a report which analysed the current situation in Turkey with regards mainly to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Here you can read a summary which also links to the report. The recommendation is, however, a "yes, but...". It emphasises that the outcome of the talks isn?t necessary EU membership, just that it is the aim. Some people also say that 10 years of negotiations is a minimum and that it could well take 20 years. This recommendation is thus a compromise; it is a reluctant "yes". That is unfortunate and means that we who strongly want Turkey in the EU must continue to argue our case. But the direction is clear: Welcome Turkey!