UK panel warns on Turkey EU membership

Turkey’s accession to the European Union would pose serious risks to the security of the EU external border and make member states more vulnerable to organised crime, a group of UK parliamentarians has warned in a report.

The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee published a report on the 1 August 2011 on implications for the justice and home affairs areas of the accession of Turkey to the European Union.

However, the committee also believed that the risks posed in relation to organised crime are 'considerably outweighed' by the potential benefits — partly in terms of the standards that Turkey will be required to meet to become an EU Member, but largely owing to the opportunities it would bring for increased cooperation.

ESO: Background information: Greek treatment of illegal migrants criticised http://www.europeansources.info/record/greek-treatment-of-illegal-migrants-criticised/

UK: Parliament: House of Commons: Committees: Press Release, 1.8.11: Border control must improve before Turkey joins the EU, says Home Affairs Committee http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/news/110801-turkey-report-published/

UK: Parliament: House of Commons: Home Affairs Committee: Report: Implications for the Justice and Home Affairs area of the accession of Turkey to the European Union http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmhaff/789/78902.htm

EUObserver, 1.8.11: Let Turkey into Europol, British MPs say http://euobserver.com/9/32672

EurActiv, 2.8.11: UK urges Turkey to improve border security http://www.euractiv.com/en/justice/uk-urges-turkey-improve-border-security-news-506866

Frankfurter Rundschau, 21.9.11: Abdullah Gül threatens to slam door on EU (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu//en/content/news-brief-cover/972271-abdullah-guel-threatens-slam-door-eu

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