Turkey – constructive ambiguity

Date: 22/09/05

The negotiating framework

There is still no deal on this document, which sets out the rules for Turkey's accession negotiations. Debate on the negotiating framework has focused on two issues. The French government has asked for clarification that the negotiating process is "open-ended" - a demand aimed at ensuring that there are no time constraints on the EU to complete negotiations and no predetermined outcome. In a similar vein Austria continues to demand that the framework include the option of a 'privileged partnership' for Turkey, that relations with the EU could stop short of full membership.

Customs protocol

On 29 July this year Turkey signed a protocol extending an existing customs agreement with the EU to the ten member states which joined the Union in May 2004, including Greek Cyprus. Greek Cyprus had insisted that Ankara implement the protocol to allow Greek Cypriot vessels and planes to use Turkish ports and airports. Meanwhile many member states were keen not to add any conditions to the EU's decision last December to open negotiations on 3 October. In the end EU member states called for "non-discriminatory implementation of the protocol" and said it would evaluate the full implementation in 2006, with a negative assessment affecting "overall progress in the negotiations".

Recognition

Along with Turkey's signature of the protocol on 29 July, Ankara issued a declaration spelling out that the move did not constitute formal recognition of the Republic of Cyprus. The EU agreed to make a counter declaration addressing the question of recognition of Cyprus. Perhaps surprisingly, this aspect of the counter declaration proved to be the most contentious. The Greek Cypriot government pressed hard for formal recognition to be connected with the accession process and to come as soon as possible. The majority of EU states, trying to avoid setting new criteria for starting talks and new legal precedent, agreed that recognition should come before membership, in ten or more years, rather than before negotiations begin. At home the Greek Cypriot government has been heavily criticised for focusing diplomatic efforts on the counter declaration rather than the negotiating framework. Next week - EU-Turkey special report.

Article takes a look at the two issues complicating the drafting of the negotiating framework for Turkey's accession to the EU, set to commence on 3 October 2005. The most contentious issue was the formal recognition of Greek Cyprus, opposed by the Turkish Government.