European Forum

EU, Turkey open new chapter in membership talks

On 30 June Turkey took another small step in its slow EU membership talks by getting the green light to open discussions in a new policy area. "We have opened chapter 16 on taxation, an important chapter and a significant one on Turkey's path towards the EU," Czech foreign minister Jan Kohout said at a press conference in Brussels during the country’s last day as the EU presidency.

It is Turkey’s 11th chapter out of 35 policy negotiating areas, which potential members have to complete before they can be allowed to join the EU. It will take some time before this chapter can be closed, however, the minister warned. Turkey has only closed talks in one negotiating area so far, namely science and research. "There are several benchmarks that need to be met before chapter 16 [on taxation] can be provisionally closed," notably certain taxation reform issues, Mr Kohout said.

The EU also wants Turkey to ratify a customs agreement with EU member state Cyprus and open its ports to Cypriot ships. But Turkey does not recognise the Greek Cypriot government in the southern part of the divided island, while at the same time it is the only country that has recognised its northern Turkish Cypriot section. Eight chapters of Turkey's EU accession package have been officially blocked since 2006 as a result of Ankara's refusal to open its ports to Cypriot ships. The European Commission is due to review the decision in December but there has been no progress in the dispute.

Sweden, who took over EU’s rotating presidency today from the Czech Republic, said nevertheless to continue progress in Turkey’s accession negotiations. Sweden’s ambassador in Ankara Christer Asp told reporters “that it is wrong to only look at how many chapters have been opened for negotiations". "What is crucial is the continuation of negotiations. It is important to meet the conditions and criteria in order to open new chapters of negotiations", he added. Asp said Sweden is ready to open all negotiating areas with Turkey, but added the chapters remaining to be opened are the most difficult ones. He also said it would be a strategic error not to let Turkey into the bloc.

Turkey has been an official EU candidate since 1999 and despite having started accession negotiations in 2005, some member states still question its membership prospects. Notably France- which is blocking another five chapters directly linked to EU membership- and Germany, favor some kind of special relationship with Turkey rather than full membership. Also recent EU elections have seen a rise in anti-Turkish rhetoric and have strengthened political parties across the EU opposed to Turkey's EU membership.


Sources: Hurriyet Daily; EuObserver