A PARTIAL suspension of Turkey’s European Union entry talks would be dangerous, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told Reuters in an interview yesterday.
The EU is mulling a possible partial suspension of the talks due to Ankara’s continued refusal to open its ports to shipping from EU member Cyprus.
“We don’t agree with this [suspension]. That’s dangerous for everyone. Of course if it happens it’s not the end of the world for us but it’s not good for any of us,” Gul said.
He said a suspension could cost the European Union a key strategic and economic partner.
“The EU should not lose the strategic perspective. Sometimes small politics clouds it because of the politics of certain member countries, but the strategic issues [matter] – political security, energy among others and the economy [of Turkey],” he said.
In a move seen aimed at calming financial markets after the Turkish lira fell sharply on political jitters, Gul said the centre-right government would press ahead with difficult economic and political reforms despite any setback in EU talks.
The government hopes to submit a key legal reform demanded by Brussels to the Turkish parliament before an EU summit in mid-December, Gul said.
The EU has sharply criticised Turkey over article 301 of the penal code which makes it a crime to insult Turkish national identity or state institutions. A number of writers and intellectuals have been prosecuted under the article.
“What we are facing are some problems with the interpretation [of the article]. That is why we will amend 301 in consideration with non-government organisations,” Gul said.
“I’m sure we will take it to parliament. We wish to do it before the [EU] summit,” he added.
Gul also said he would go to Finland next week to discuss a Finnish proposal aimed at breaking the deadlock over Cyprus, even if Cypriot Foreign Minister Georgios Lillikas does not go.
He said he was hopeful about finding a solution on the ports issue before a December 6 deadline set by Finland, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
“I am going there to talk with the Finnish presidency. Yesterday my friends’ colleagues and our technical teams were there in intensive talks… I hope in the end we, Turkey and everyone, will pass this bottleneck,” he said.
Ankara insists the EU must lift trade restrictions against the Turkish Cypriots before it can open its ports to Greek Cypriots. (R)
