Unnecessary Delays in Turkey’s Accession to the EU

European Union members concerned about human rights in Turkey should pursue progress through accession talks.
In June 2013, the European Union (EU) was set to open a new chapter of Turkey’s accession to the European Union after a three-year freeze. Citing the Turkish government’s handling of the Taksim Square protests, Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, backed by Austria and the Netherlands, led a proposal to further delay accession talks. The talks will resume after the European Commission publishes its report on the status of human rights reforms in Turkey in October. Despite legitimate objections about the handling of the Taskim Square protests, Germany and other European Union member-states should accelerate, not delay, these talks.Turkey, like all EU member-states, must complete negotiations with the European Commission on 33 out of 35 chapters of the acquis communautaire (the body of common rights and laws that govern the European Union) in order to accede. However, since opening negotiations in 2005 only one chapter has been closed, 13 have been opened, and eight have been frozen, mainly because of Turkey’s troubled relationship with Cyprus. The European Commission froze talks on eight of the chapters in 2006 and on six chapters in 2009. In addition, no new chapters have been opened, and none of the open chapters have been closed since 2010. In contrast, Croatia, whose membership talks began in 2005 at the same time as Turkey’s negotiations, became a full EU member in July of this year. The continued delay is unnecessary and is deeply harmful to the EU’s relationship with Turkey.The lack of progress in negotiations stems from deep-seated reluctance by several EU members. Germany has long resisted full EU membership for Turkey, advocating instead for a privileged partnership. It is also not surprising that Chancellor Merkel moved to further delay accession talks. Merkel’s party (the Christian Democratic Union) stated in its platform for general elections in September that Turkey ”does not meet the conditions for EU entry” and that its economic structures would overburden the EU. Additionally, both France and Germany have pointed to cultural differences that make Turkey incompatible with EU membership. Others worry that the economic instability of Turkey, in the wake of the Eurozone Crisis, would be detrimental to EU economic stability as a whole. Lastly, both France and Cyprus have blocked a number of chapters from negotiation including “education and culture” (chapter 26), “justice, freedom and security” (chapter 24), and “external relations” (chapter 30).The decision to delay the opening of negotiations in June initially drew harsh criticisms from Turkey; a Turkish diplomat was quoted as saying that Turkey was considering suspending negotiations altogether. The reaction from Ankara softened considerably after the proposal to delay accession talks until October was approved. The Turkish foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, described the move to open talks in October as "an insufficient step but in the right direction in relations with the EU.” Although some EU member states have legitimate concerns regarding Turkey’s track record with Cyprus and its record on human rights, any attempt to continue to delay or block negotiations beyond October will further harm the relationship between Turkey and the European Union.Delaying or blocking talks because of human rights issues could also prove counterproductive as accession talks might be an effective tool to address these concerns and encourage Turkey to move forward with reforms. According to Irish Foreign Minister and current EU President Eamon Gilmore, “the EU accession process is the most effective tool we have in influencing the reform agenda in Turkey. EU-inspired reforms have facilitated the increasing space for peaceful protest and dissenting voices”. The EU accession negotiations have previously been successful in encouraging reform for countries hoping to accede. For example, the EU facilitated an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo to normalize relations between the two countries. This agreement was a prerequisite to opening EU accession talks for Serbia in April 2013. Similarly, EU accession negotiations can be used to leverage political action for reform in Turkey, particularly with regard to the nation’s human rights record.Negotiations reopen in October 2013 to discuss chapter 22: “regional policy and coordination of structural instruments.” Once talks resume, the EU must continue these negotiations without further delay or obstruction. The EU must also accelerate talks and reopen negotiations on previously frozen chapters. The eight chapters frozen due to Turkey’s refusal to open ports and airports to traffic to Cyprus must also be revisited in order to encourage Turkey to progress to full membership. Opening accelerated negotiations between the EU and Turkey will not only augment the accession process, but will encourage Turkey to make meaningful advances towards reform.

Photo courtesy of World Bank Photo Collection via Flickr.