PM Vanhanen takes "more positive" attitude toward Turkish EU membership

Turkish judge killed over religious dispute on day of Prime Minister’s visit

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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen paid a visit to European Union membership applicant Turkey on Wednesday in advance of Finland’s taking on the European Union Presidency in July.
      Vanhanen promised fruitful cooperation, but he also pointed out the conditions that Turkey must meet in order to be acceptable as a member.
      "There is no short-cut to membership", Vanhanen said at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
      The EU began membership negotiations with Turkey last autumn.
     
The programme of the day began with a visit to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
      In the guest book at the memorial Vanhanen said that he respects Atatürk’s "courage, which has inspired the peoples of the world".
      Vanhanen is the first Finnish prime minister to pay an official visit to Turkey. It was also the first time that Vanhanen himself has visited the country. He said that he has followed developments in his host country.
      "My own attitude has become more positive. I can understand better and better the significance of the politically stabilising effect that membership would have [for Turkey]", Vanhanen said.
      "I believe that the opinion of many Finns toward Turkish membership could become more positive when Turkey meets the criteria, and when unnecessary fears fade.
     
It was not all smiles, however. Vanhanen and Erdogan discussed the Cyprus question, over which Turkey and the EU have been deadlocked for the past two years.
      The EU wants the Turkish Parliament to ratify a customs agreement between Turkey and the expanded EU, which would open Turkish airports and harbours to the Greek part of Cyprus, which is a member of the EU.
      Turkey has not recognised the Republic of Cyprus. Erdogan says that before it does so, the EU must first lift the trade embargo on Turkish North Cyprus.
      Vanhanen conceded that a conflict exists in the matter. As he sees it, Turkey cannot become a member of the EU without the ratification of the customs agreement, and that Turkey is making linkages that the EU cannot accept.
      However, he also conceded that the EU has not fulfilled its promises over trade with Cyprus.
     
Tensions between Islamists and secularists within Turkey were dramatically underscored on Wednesday when a Turkish judge was killed and four were injured in Ankara in a morning attack on the country’s highest administrative court.
      The shooting came after a court ruling which upheld a decision to block the promotion of a woman teacher who insisted on wearing an Islamic scarf at work.
      On Thursday morning Prime Minister Vanhanen moved on to Croatia, another country hoping to join the EU.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Commissioner Rehn criticises repeated violations of free speech in Turkey (33.11.2005)

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