Turkey Accession into the European Union

: Portugal on Turkey 's Accession into the European Union

The Issue

Turkey 's application for accession into the European Union has been a contentious issue among EU members in the face of enlargement thrust of the EU . There have been strong arguments for and against Turkey 's accession , as reflected from the early positions taken by the different blocs of EU countries . Given the EU voting requirement for the approval of every member state and EU Parliament before enlargement takes place every member state 's position becomes all the more important p

Arguments For and Against Turkey 's Accession

As of June 2006 , Turkey had already completed the first section , the "science and research " phase generally regarded as the easiest , of its accession negotiations with member states of the European Union 1However , Turkey remains to hurdle many policy issues that have been raised against her , including

The government 's commitment to promote gender equality

Human rights concerns , specifically , on torture , freedom on expression and religion

Barriers to freedom of expression and the call to repeal or abolish certain provisions of the Penal Code

Slowing down of the reform process about a year after accession negotiations started and the corresponding need to reinvigorate the program

The Cyprus issue with regards Cypriot planes and vessels , the need for its recognition by Turkey and the taking of "concrete steps for the normalization of bilateral relations " with Cyprus

The need for a democratic solution to the issue of Kurdish rebellion . 2

Other factors considered in Turkey 's accession bid are its predominantly Muslim population geography wherein only 3 percent of its land actually lies in Europe , with its capital lying in Asia large size and its dynamic but unstable state of economy that could either be a boon or force EU to support , and its large population that could bestow upon it a large political (voting ) power in the EU Parliament .3

Portugal 's Stand

Portugal , which has been an (European Community ) member since 1986 believes in the core principles of EU enlargement that were established during the first enlargement stage as based on the wording of point 13 of the December 1969 communique of The Hague European Council stating that "negotiations can only begin in so far as the applicant States accept the Treaties and their political aims , the decisions taken since the entry into force of the Treaties and the options adopted in the sphere of development " In essence , it points to accession as , among others , the 1 ) joining into an existing community , and not forming a new one , 2 ) fully accepting the acquis communautaire or the entire body of regulations in the EU community at the time of accession and 3 ) limited transitional periods characterized by largely respecting the text and principles of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe upon which the EU Community is founded . 4

Observance of democracy , rule of law and respect for human rights have always formed part of the customary enlargement regulation of EU . Unless...