12/10/2005
“Turkey and the European Union have embarked on a common journey”
Paavo Lipponen told a packed press conference in Ankara on behalf of the Party of European Socialists’ High Level Advisory Group on Turkey. “There should be no misunderstanding, our common goal is Turkish membership of the European Union.”
This same message was delivered in meetings with Foreign Minister Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan.
“There are already difficult issues on the table, but with a positive attitude we can find solutions. There is much progress still to be made on trade union rights, human rights, women’s equality and freedom of expression to name some of the issues we Socialists will be keeping a particular interest in.”
Mr Lipponen led the delegation along with George Papandreou, Leader of Greek Socialist Party PASOK.
George Papandreou joined Paavo Lipponen in warmly welcoming the reform and economic progress made by Turkey. They emphasised that while the road to Turkish membership would encounter difficulties, and membership was not automatic, the PES was honest in wanting Turkey to succeed. “We have no double agenda, we are not playing with two sets of cards” said Lipponen.
Mr Papandreou said “The EU is a community of common values and Turkey joining us would be symbolically important for the whole world. It would show that democracy, human rights and respect for the rule of law are principles that apply universally and not to one religion or region.”
Mr Papandreou also called on all sides to use the new dynamic created by the start of EU entry negotiations to try again to find a solution to the question of Cyprus.
The delegation also met trade unions, political parties, human rights organisations and women’s groups as well as the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartolomew.
Turkey and the EU – a common journey, by Paavo Lipponen, George Papandreou and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
