Turkey-EU relations: New chapters to be opened in 2013
It is expressed by authorities that Turkey and EU have made a good start in 2013, regarding accession process of Turkey to the Union.
In fact, it is also reported that new chapters are very likely to be opened in 2013 as expressed by Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert (head of Turkey delegation) at the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission in the Turkish Parliament on Thursday.
Referring to the meeting attended by the ambassadors of EU countries at the Prime Ministry in Ankara earlier this week, Ripert was quoted to comment as “Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey has never abandoned its goal of EU membership”.
It is known that the EU has working on a roadmap which is to be discussed with Turkey and experts have he positive expectations in regards to working out visa and immigration issues between two Turkey and EU countries.
To make sure the good start at the beginning of current year is not wasted Turkey has to do its homework by completing several missing points such as freedom of expression, press, organization and fair trial.
Turkey has recently prepared “The fourth judicial package” to cover likely issues. Expectations as to pending issues will be worked out following approval of the draft package in the parliament have become much stronger.
Other major issues to be attended to urgently are harmonization with the EU with regard to the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), public tender legislation and a customs union.
On the other hand it was observed and expressed by participants – to include Irish Ambassador to Turkey Kenneth Thompson, in the first place that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had shown his determination on Turkey’s target of full membership in the EU at a dinner he gave for the ambassadors earlier in the week.
All parties involved in the process are aware that concluding Chapter 22 is of utmost importance and a failure in this regard would have a negative impact in the negotiation process.
17.02.2013
SOURCE: MEDIA
