Der Fall Türkei
Der Fall Türkei
The case of Turkey
TextTurkey and the European Union (1963–2005)
TableTable showing the main stages in relations between Turkey and the European Union, from the signing of the Association Agreement in 1963 to the opening of accession negotiations in 2005.
Das Assoziierungsabkommen mit der EWG (12. September 1963)
Agreement establishing an association between the EEC and Turkey (Ankara, 12 September 1963)
TextOn 12 September 1963, the European Economic Community (EEC) and Turkey sign an Association Agreement in Ankara.
Signing of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the EEC and Turkey (Brussels, 23 November 1970)
ImageOn 23 November 1970, Ihsan Sabri Çaglayangil (centre), Turkish Foreign Minister, signs the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Economic Community and Turkey, in the presence of Maurice Schumann, French Foreign Minister (left), and Walter Scheel, German Foreign Minister (right).
Signing of the additional protocol to the Agreement establishing an Association between the EEC and Turkey (Brussels, 23 November 1970)
ImageOn 23 November 1970, in Brussels, Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the European Commission, signs the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Turkey.
Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement concluded between the EEC and Turkey (23 November 1970)
ImageSignatures appended in Brussels on 23 November 1970 to the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Turkey.
‘The development of relations between the European Economic Community and Turkey’ from the Revue du Marché Commun (1979)
TextIn 1979, the Revue du Marché Commun publishes an interview with Émile Noël, former Secretary-General of the Commission of the European Communities, conducted by Abdi Ipekci, Editor-in-Chief of the Turkish daily newspaper Milliyet, on the development of relations between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Turkey.
Interview with Edmund Wellenstein: the strategic dimension of the European Communities’ relations with Greece and Turkey in the 1960s (The Hague, 27 August 2009)
VideoIn this interview, Edmund Wellenstein, Director-General for Foreign Trade at the Commission of the European Communities from 1967 to 1970, describes the strategic importance of the European Communities’ relations with Greece and Turkey in the 1960s, particularly highlighting the external influence of the United States.
Das Beitrittsgesuch der Türkei (14. April 1987)
Demande d'adhésion de la Turquie à la Communauté économique européenne (14 avril 1987)
TextLe 14 avril 1987, Turgut Özal, Premier ministre de la République de Turquie, adresse à Leo Tindemans, ministre belge des Affaires étrangères et président en exercice du Conseil des Communautés européennes, une lettre dans laquelle il demande l'adhésion de la Turquie à la Communauté économique européenne.
Report by the European Parliament on the human rights situation in Turkey (9 October 1985)
TextOn 9 October 1985, Richard Balfe, British Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the European Parliament’s Political Affairs Committee, submits his report on the human rights situation in Turkey.
'Thirteen at table? from Le Monde (15 April 1987)
TextOn 15 April 1987, the day after Turkey submitted its application for accession to the European Communities, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the obstacles to Turkey’s participation in the efforts towards European integration.
‘Turkey officially applies for accession to the European Communities’ from El País (15 April 1987)
TextOn 15 April 1987, the Madrid-based daily newspaper El País comments on Turkey’s application for accession to the European Communities and outlines the main challenges it raises.
‘A Europe of thirteen?’ from L’Express (8 May 1987)
TextOn 8 May 1987, the French weekly magazine L’Express speculates about the implications of Turkey’s possible accession to the European Communities.
European Parliament resolution on a political solution to the Armenian question (18 June 1987)
TextOn 18 June 1987, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on a political solution to the Armenian question and asks the Council to secure from the Turkish Government an acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide of 1915–1917, thereby enabling a political dialogue to be established between Turkey and the representatives of the Armenian people.
Commission Opinion on Turkey's request for accession to the Community (20 December 1989)
TextOn 20 December 1989, in response to Turkey’s application for accession to the European Communities submitted on 14 April 1987, the European Commission delivers a negative opinion on the opening of accession negotiations, citing both economic and political reasons.
Die Zollunion zwischen der EWG und der Türkei (6. März 1995)
‘A warning to Europe’ from L’Express
TextOn 12 May 1994, the French weekly magazine L’Express publishes an interview with Tansu Ciller, Turkish Prime Minister, on the situation in Turkey and on the role that it could play in Europe and in the world.
‘Tansu Ciller: If Europe rejects us …’ from Le Nouvel Observateur (29 September 1994)
TextOn 29 September 1994, the French weekly news magazine Le Nouvel Observateur publishes an interview with Tansu Ciller, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, devoted, in particular, to the political situation in that country and to the conclusion of a customs union between Turkey and the European Union.
‘The Fifteen pave the way for a customs union with Turkey’ from Le Monde (8 February 1995)
TextOn 8 February 1995, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the agreement of principle reached by the Foreign Ministers of the Fifteen on the conclusion of a customs union with Turkey.
‘Greece lifts its veto on the customs union between Turkey and the EU’ from El País (4 March 1995)
TextOn 4 March 1995, the Madrid-based daily newspaper El País comments on the agreement reached between the 15 European Union Member States and the Turkish delegation on the establishment of a customs union with Turkey. Once Greece lifts its veto, in exchange for agreement on certain issues (such as the start of negotiations with Cyprus for its accession to the EU), the customs union eventually comes into force on 1 January 1996. The aim of the union is to eliminate trade barriers for industrial products and processed agricultural products and to apply the EU’s common external tariff in Turkey.
‘The anti-European struggle of the Turkish Islamists’ from La Croix (20 October 1995)
TextOn 20 October 1995, the French Catholic daily newspaper La Croix considers that recent political events and the rise of Islam in Turkey may well jeopardise the entry into force of the Treaty establishing a Customs Union with the European Economic Community (EEC), due to take place on 1 January 1996.
Decision No 1/95 of the EC–Turkey Association Council on implementing the final phase of the Customs Union (22 December 1995)
TextOn 22 December 1995, the EC–-Turkey Association Council adopts Decision No 1/95 on the implementation of the final phase of the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Economic Community (EEC).
Giuseppe Scognamiglio, Turkey and the Customs Union with Europe (1995)
TextIn 1995, in an article published in the journal Affari Esteri, Giuseppe Scognamiglio, Italian Consul in Izmir, emphasises Italy’s determination to strengthen its economic contacts with Turkey in the run-up to the entry into force of the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Economic Community (EEC), due to take place on 1 January 1996.
Die Zollunion zwischen der EWG und der Türkei (6. März 1995)
‘Europe postpones its engagement with Turkey’ from Libération (20 December 1995)
TextOn 20 December 1995, the French daily newspaper Libération comments on Greece’s opposition to the conclusion of a customs union between the European Union and Turkey.
Die Beitrittsfähigkeit der Türkei zur Europäischen Union
Conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council: extract concerning Turkey (12–13 December 1997)
TextMeeting in Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December 1997, the Fifteen adopt a European strategy for Turkey. They confirm the country’s eligibility for accession to the European Union but without giving it the status of an applicant country.
‘The Turkish syndrome is inflaming negotiations on enlargement’ from the Corriere della Sera (13 December 1997)
TextOn 13 December 1997, commenting on the political implications of the Luxembourg European Council of 12 and 13 December, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera analyses the scope of the debate on the possible opening of accession negotiations with Turkey, a debate which has a decisive influence on the Fifteen's decision to start the overall process of accession of the 10 countries applying for accession to the European Union.
‘The Turks and Europe’ from El País (15 December 1997)
TextOn 15 December 1997, the Madrid-based daily newspaper El País publishes a column by the journalist Hermann Tertsch, who analyses the question of Turkey’s accession to the European Union. The author understands why the Turkish authorities are irritated by the lengthy accession process and the hostility of some European countries at the idea of Turkey’s integration into the EU. He suggests that it would have been preferable to warn Turkey at the outset that some European countries have always been and will remain opposed to the possibility of Turkish accession. However, Turkey must also make progress in the fight against corruption and torture, find a solution to the Kurdish situation and build a state based on the rule of law that provides a solid basis for democracy.
‘Turkey does not hide its bitterness and threatens to suspend talks with Brussels’ from Le Monde (16 December 1997)
TextOn 16 December 1997, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes Turkey’s anger at the European Council’s decision not to grant Turkey the status of applicant country for accession to the European Union.
‘Ankara detects a Greek accent in Luxembourg' from Le Soir (16 December 1997)
TextOn 16 December 1997, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir publishes extracts from the comments which appeared in the Turkish press following the decision taken at the Luxembourg European Council of 12 and 13 December to postpone the negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
‘Turkey: the anti-European anger' from Libération (17 December 1997)
TextOn 17 December 1997, the French daily newspaper Libération comments on the Turkish reaction to the decision taken at the Luxembourg European Council, held on 12 and 13 December, to postpone the start of negotiations on the country’s accession to the European Union.
‘Italy criticises Europe: “Turkey is being mistreated”’ from the Corriere della Sera (17 December 1997)
TextOn 17 December 1997, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera comments on Italy’s critical attitude towards the decision of the Luxembourg European Council of 12 and 13 December to postpone the opening of European Union accession negotiations with Turkey.
Cartoon by Hanel on the Turkish application for accession to the EU (1997)
ImageIn this cartoon, the German cartoonist Walter Hanel portrays senior European officials frightened at the prospect of a Turkish application for accession to the European Union.
Die Türkei als offizieller Beitrittskandidat zur Europäischen Union
‘Turkey, official applicant country for accession to the European Union, lunches with the Heads of State or Government’ from Le Monde (12 December 1999)
TextOn 12 December 1999, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the decision of the Helsinki European Council to grant Turkey the status of applicant country for accession to the European Union.
‘Europe: a future power in the Middle-East?’ from Le Monde (16 December 1999)
TextOn 16 December 1999, following the Helsinki European Council of 11 and 12 December, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses the potential geopolitical consequences of Turkey’s possible future accession to the European Union.
Interview mit Günter Verheugen: die Türkei und die Europäische Union (Nizza, 7. Dezember 2000)
VideoAm 7. Dezember 2000 erläutert Günter Verheugen, Europäischer Kommissar für Erweiterungsfragen, am Rande des Europäischen Gipfels von Nizza, warum die Türkei tief greifende politische Reformen durchführen muss, bevor sie der Europäischen Union beitritt.
‘Turkey and the European Union enlargement process’ from the Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne (April 2002)
TextIn April 2002, Nihat Akyol, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Turkey to the European Union, gives an account of the evolution of Euro–Turkish relations and analyses the implications of his country’s accession to the European Union.
‘For or against Turkey’s accession to the European Union’ from Le Monde (9 November 2002)
TextOn 9 November 2002, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, President of the Convention on the Future of Europe, grants an interview to the French daily newspaper Le Monde in which he expresses his strong opposition to Turkey’s possible accession to the European Union.
‘Turkey determined to accede to the European Union’ from Le Monde (11 December 2002)
TextOn 11 December 2002, reporting on the forthcoming Copenhagen European Council, the French daily newspaper Le Monde publishes an article written by Abdullah Gül, Turkish Prime Minister, who is pressing for the accession of his country to the European Union.
Address given by Denis MacShane on Turkey's accession to the European Union (Izmir, 14 January 2004)
TextOn 14 January 2004, one month after the decision taken by the Brussels European Council to open negotiations with Turkey on accession to the European Union, Denis MacShane, British Minister of State for Europe, delivers an address at the University of Izmir on relations between Turkey and the European Union.
Address given by Pat Cox to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (Ankara, 2 March 2004)
TextOn 2 March 2003, Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, delivers an address to the Grand National Assembly in Ankara in which he places particular emphasis on the progress made by Turkey so that it is in a position to accede to the European Union.
Address by Atzo Nicolaï on relations between the European Union and Turkey (Maastricht, 4 April 2004)
TextOn 4 April 2004, Dutch Foreign Minister Atzo Nicolaï emphasises that Turkey’s accession to the European Union does not depend solely on the accession criteria that need to be met, but also on whether the EU is in a position to welcome new members.
‘Separate the European Constitution and Turkey’ from Libération (29 September 2004)
TextOn 29 September 2004, in an article for the French daily newspaper Libération, Alain Duhamel, former MEP, emphasises the need to separate the Turkish question from the French campaign for the referendum on the European Constitution.
Die Türkei als offizieller Beitrittskandidat zur Europäischen Union
Recommendation of the Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession (6 October 2004)
TextOn 6 October 2004, the European Commission publishes its recommendation on Turkey’s progress towards accession to the European Union, stating that accession negotiations should be opened.
Address given by Romano Prodi on Turkey’s application for accession (Brussels, 6 October 2004)
TextOn 6 December 2004, Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, delivers an address to the European Parliament in which he outlines the reasons why the Commission recommends the opening of negotiations with Turkey on accession to the European Union.
Conference of Presidents on Turkey’s application for accession (Brussels, 6 October 2004)
ImageOn 6 October 2004, the Conference of Presidents on Turkey’s application for accession comments on the position of the European institutions on Turkey’s application for accession to the European Union. From left to right: Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner responsible for the enlargement negotiations, Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, President of the European Parliament, Julian Priestley, Secretary-General of the European Parliament, Harald Rømer, Deputy Secretary-General of the European Parliament, and Brigitte Stensballe, Director in the European Parliament Secretariat.
Address given by Jean-Pierre Raffarin on Turkey’s application for accession to the EU (Paris, 14 October 2004)
TextOn 14 October 2004, as debates are held in the National Assembly in Paris on Turkey’s application for accession to the European Union, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, French Prime Minister, outlines the issues involved in the debate and sets out the position adopted by his government.
Address given by Olli Rehn on future relations between the EU and Turkey (Istanbul, 20 October 2004)
TextOn 20 October 2004, Olli Rehn, Commissioner for Enlargement, delivers an address in Istanbul in which he outlines the policy pursued by the European Commission with regard to future relations between the European Union and Turkey.
‘Mr Erdogan: What Turkey brings to the European family’ from Le Monde (22 October 2004)
TextOn 22 October 2004, in an article published in the French daily newspaper Le Monde, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister, outlines the reasons why he believes that Turkey must be able to accede to the European Union.
Meeting between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Romano Prodi (23 September 2004)
ImageOn 23 September 2004, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister, meets Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, to discuss the opening of negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the European Union. This meeting was an opportunity to address any remaining obstacles preventing the European Commission from making a recommendation on the date for the opening of the accession negotiations.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Günter Verheugen (23 September 2004)
ImageOn 23 September 2004, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enlargement. The visit of the Turkish Prime Minister is an opportunity to address any remaining obstacles preventing a favourable response by the European Commission on the opening of negotiations with Turkey for accession to the European Union.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
ImageRecep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister since 2003, is an active supporter of Turkey’s application for accession to the European Union.
‘Turkey and the Constitution: the same battle’ from Le Figaro (27 October 2004)
TextOn 27 October 2004, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro emphasises the close relationship between the debates being held in France on the European Constitution and on Turkey’s application for accession to the European Union.
Cartoon by Behrendt on the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU
Image‘Euro-Club with partner (Turkey).’ The issue of Turkey’s accession to the European Union is tainted by the issue of the respect for minorities and human rights.
Press conference held by Michel Barnier on the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey (Brussels, 13 December 2004)
TextOn 13 December 2004, in Brussels, Michel Barnier, French Foreign Minister, addresses the issue of the possible opening of negotiations with Turkey for its accession to the European Union.
Der Europäische Rat von Brüssel und der Beginn der Verhandlungen
Conclusions of the Brussels European Council: extract concerning enlargement (16 and 17 December 2004)
TextOn 16 and 17 December 2004, at the Brussels European Council, the Heads of State or Government of the Twenty-Five welcome the prospect of Bulgarian and Romanian accession to the European Union in January 2007 and call on the Council to reach an agreement with a view to the opening of accession negotiations with Croatia on 17 March 2005 and with Turkey on 3 October 2005.
Group photo of the Brussels European Council (16 and 17 December 2004)
ImageAt the Brussels European Council of 16 and 17 December 2004, the 25 Member States invite the European Commission to submit a recommendation as to whether the European Union should open accession negotiations with Turkey.
Pressekonferenz von Jacques Chirac (Brüssel, 17. Dezember 2004)
TextAm 17. Dezember 2004 steht der französische Staatspräsident Jacques Chirac in Brüssel den Journalisten zur Entscheidung, im Oktober 2005 Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Türkei aufzunehmen, Rede und Antwort.
Address given by Josep Borrell to the Brussels European Council (17 December 2004)
TextOn 17 December 2004, Josep Borrell Fontelles, President of the European Parliament, delivers an address to the Brussels European Council in which he states that the European Parliament supports Turkey’s full membership of the European Union.
Statement made by Tony Blair on the outcome of the Brussels European Council (London, 20 December 2004)
TextOn 20 December 2004, in the House of Commons in London, Tony Blair, British Prime Minister, emphasises the historic decision taken at the Brussels European Council to open negotiations with Ankara for Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
‘The decision on opening membership talks with Turkey does not answer several key questions’ from the Europe Daily Bulletin (4 January 2005)
TextOn 4 January 2005, Ferdinando Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe in Brussels, identifies the grey areas which, in his view, surround the decision to open negotiations with Turkey for its accession to the European Union.
‘Negotiation results with Turkey entirely open-ended’ from the Europe Daily Bulletin (5 January 2005)
TextOn 5 January 2005, Ferdinando Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe in Brussels, identifies the difficulties which, in his eyes, are in danger of affecting the negotiation procedures for Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
‘Is Turkey up to meeting European Parliament accession conditions?’ from the Europe Daily Bulletin (6 January 2005)
TextOn 6 January 2005, Ferdinando Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe in Brussels, sets out the political implications for Turkey of its possible accession to the European Union.
‘Disagreement over Turkey’s membership becomes more radical’ from the Europe Daily Bulletin (7 January 2005)
TextOn 7 January 2005, Ferdinando Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe in Brussels, sets out the arguments of those in favour and those against Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
‘A few important aspects of Turkey’s uneasiness towards the EU’ from the Europe Daily Bulletin (11 January 2005)
TextOn 11 January 2005, Ferdinando Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe in Brussels, identifies the contradictory attitudes of the Turkish leaders towards their country’s possible accession to the European Union.
Reaktionen auf den Europäischen Rat von Brüssel
‘The Ottoman program’ from Le Point (16 December 2004)
TextOn 16 December 2004, the French weekly news magazine Le Point is sceptical at the possibility of Turkey’s accession to the European Union and calls, instead, for a new, intermediate method of association.
"Für oder gegen einen Beitritt: fünf Fragen zur Debatte" in Le Figaro (16. Dezember 2004)
TextAm 16. Dezember 2004 analysiert die französische Tageszeitung Le Figaro die Argumente für und gegen einen möglichen Beitritt der Türkei zur Europäischen Union.
‘The lengthy transformation of Turkey into a European country’ from Libération (17 December 2004)
TextOn 17 December 2004, the French daily newspaper Libération lists the problems which might be encountered during the negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
"Die Schuldgefühle des Westens" in Le Figaro (20. Dezember 2004)
TextAm 20. Dezember 2004 kommentiert die französische Tageszeitung Le Figaro die Ergebnisses des Europäischen Rates von Brüssel am 16. und 17. Dezember und betont das diplomatische Geschick, das der türkische Premierministers Recep Tayyip Erdogan in den Debatten im Vorfeld der Entscheidung der Fünfundzwanzig an den Tag gelegt hat, Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Türkei aufzunehmen.
‘Van Miert: an “adventurous” policy’ from Le Soir (20 December 2004)
TextOn 20 December 2004, in an interview granted to the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir, Karel Van Miert, former European Commissioner, speaks out against the possibility of Turkey acceding to the European Union.
"Türkei: Allianz oder Kampf" in Libération (20. Dezember 2004)
TextAm 20. Dezember 2004, kurz nach der Tagung des Europäischen Rates von Brüssel am 16. und 17. Dezember, bringt der Präsident des Europäischen Parlaments Josep Fontelles Borrell in der französischen Tageszeitung Libération die Haltung der Versammlung zum möglichen Beitritt der Türkei zur Europäischen Union zum Ausdruck.
‘This Turkey will not join this Europe’ from El País (20 December 2004)
TextOn 20 December 2004, the Madrid-based daily newspaper El País analyses the question of Turkey’s accession to the European Union and concludes that neither Turkey nor the EU are ready for this accession.
Die Diskussion um die Türkei
Cartoon by Hanel on the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU (2004)
Image‘Don’t be afraid, it’s not the Turks. It’s only the moon and the evening star.’ In 2004, the German cartoonist, Walter Hanel, illustrates the fears of some of the European general public at Turkey’s possible accession to the European Union.
Cartoon by Behrendt on the issue of the enlargement of the EU to include Turkey (2005)
Image‘New members are arriving.’ In 2005, the cartoonist, Fritz Behrendt, illustrates the awkward position of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, with regard to the issue of Turkey’s application for accession to the European Union.
Interview mit Jean Asselborn: die Verhandlungen mit der Türkei (Luxemburg, 10. April 2005)
VideoIn diesem Interview vom 10. April 2005 spricht der luxemburgische Außenminister und amtierende Präsident des Rates der Europäischen Union Jean Asselborn über die Bedingungen für den Beitritt der Türkei zur Europäischen Union.
‘Vote “Yes” so that you can say “No”’ from Le Figaro (11 May 2005)
TextOn 11 May 2005, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro publishes an article by the working party entitled ‘The Yes for the No’, whose members emphasise the need to ratify the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe in order to be able to provide more effective opposition to Turkey’s accession to the European Union.
‘Turkish question, European response’ from Les Saisons d’Alsace (2005)
TextIn this article published in spring 2005, Dostena Anguelova-Lavergne speculates on the nature of the political and cultural relations between Europe and Turkey in the light of Turkey’s possible accession to the European Union.
‘Europe must open the door to Turkey’ from La Libre Belgique (2 September 2005)
TextOn 2 September 2005, in response to the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Twenty-Five held on 1 and 2 September in Newport, Wales, in order to discuss whether or not to maintain the date of 3 October for the opening of negotiations for the accession of Turkey to the European Union and to clarify how they will be conducted, Albert Rohan, former Director-General of the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and Martti Athisaari, former President of Finland, emphasise the need for the European Union to honour its earlier commitments and to open accession negotiations with Turkey, despite the political difficulties associated with the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.
‘There is no European social model. Each country has its traditions’ from Le Monde (2 September 2005)
TextOn 2 September 2005, in response to the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Twenty-Five held on 1 and 2 September in Newport, Wales, in order to discuss whether or not to retain the date of 3 October for the opening of negotiations for accession to the European Union with Turkey and to clarify how they will be conducted, Günter Verheugen, appointed Vice-President of the European Commission presided since 2004 by José Manuel Barroso after having had special responsibility for Enlargement and, subsequently, for European Neighbourhood Policy in the Commission presided by Romano Prodi from 1999 to 2004, grants an interview to the French daily newspaper Le Monde in which he supports Turkey’s application for accession to the European Union.
Cartoon by Plantu on the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU (7 October 2005)
ImageOn 7 October 2005, the French cartoonist Plantu portrays the numerous obstacles that line the way towards Turkey’s possible accession to the European Union, in particular the issues of Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian genocide in 1915 and the Cyprus question.
Cartoon by Plantu on the issue of enlargement of the EU to include Turkey (13 October 2005)
ImageOn 13 October 2005, the French cartoonist Plantu comments ironically on the slow progress of Turkey’s process of accession to the European Union. Turkey’s first application for accession to the European Economic Community dates from 14 April 1987.
Interview mit Gaston Thorn: die Türkei und die Europäische Union (Luxemburg, 6. Februar 2006)
Audio extractIn diesem Interview betont Gaston Thorn, ehemaliger luxemburgischer Premierminister und Außenminister und später Präsident der Europäischen Kommission, die Bedeutung und die Herausforderungen eines Beitritts der Türkei zur Europäischen Union.
Interview mit Leo Tindemans: die Türkei und die Europäische Union (Brüssel, 24. Februar 2006)
VideoIn diesem Interview kritisiert der ehemalige belgische Premierminister und Minister für Auswärtige Beziehungen Leo Tindemans die seiner Meinung nach zweideutige Haltung der Europäischen Union zu einem möglichen Beitritt der Türkei zur Europäischen Union.
Pressekonferenz von Wolfgang Schüssel: die Verhandlungen über den Beitritt der Türkei zur Europäischen Union (Wien, 9. Januar 2006)
VideoAm 9. Januar 2006 formuliert der österreichische Bundeskanzler und amtierende Präsident des Rates der Europäischen Union Wolfgang Schüssel auf einer Pressekonferenz nach einer Arbeitssitzung der österreichischen Regierung mit der Europäischen Kommission die Bedingungen für die Aufnahme von Beitrittsverhandlungen zwischen der Europäischen Union und der Türkei.
Die Diskussion um die Türkei
Interview mit Catherine Lalumière: die Türkei und die Europäische Union (Paris, 17. Mai 2006)
VideoIn diesem Interview unterstreicht die ehemalige französische Staatssekretärin für Europäische Angelegenheiten und ehemalige Generalsekretärin des Europarates Catherine Lalumière die Bedeutung eines möglichen Beitritts der Türkei zur Europäischen Union in politischer, wirtschaftlicher, geostrategischer und religiöser Hinsicht.
Interview with Jacques Delors (Paris, 16 December 2009) — Excerpt: The EU's frontiers and Turkey's application for membership
VideoIn this interview excerpt, Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities from 1985 to 1995, gives his thoughts on the success of the EU's enlargements, seen from a historical perspective that will continue to develop, and explains that he is therefore of the view that negotiations should be held for Turkey's accession.