Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04ANKARA583
2004-01-29 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

PRODI PRAISES GOT REFORMS IN HISTORIC VISIT

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000583 

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TU
SUBJECT: PRODI PRAISES GOT REFORMS IN HISTORIC VISIT


Classified by Deputy Polcouns Charles O. Blaha; reasons 1.5
(b) and (d).


C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000583

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TU
SUBJECT: PRODI PRAISES GOT REFORMS IN HISTORIC VISIT


Classified by Deputy Polcouns Charles O. Blaha; reasons 1.5
(b) and (d).



1. (C) Summary: During a January 15-16 visit to Turkey,
European Commission President Prodi praised GOT leaders for
adopting extensive EU-related legislative reforms. He called
for greater implementation of the reforms, and urged progress
on a Cyprus solution by May. He also said the EU and GOT
need to build greater public support in Europe for Turkey's
EU membership. He did not indicate whether the Commission
will recommend that the EU at its December Summit set a date
to begin accession talks with Turkey. PM Erdogan and FM Gul
accepted Prodi's views, while calling for more EU pressure on
the Greek side of the Cyprus issue. They also warned Prodi
that it will be difficult for the GOT to continue the reform
process if the EU does not set a date for accession talks.
This was the first visit to Turkey by a Commission President
in 40 years. End Summary.


-------------- -
Prodi Meets Top GOT Leaders, Delivers Speeches
-------------- -



2. (U) During his visit to Ankara and Istanbul Prodi met with
PM Erdogan, FM Gul, President Sezer, Speaker of Parliament
Arinc, and opposition Republican Peoples' Party (CHP)
President Baykal. He also addressed the full Parliament and
gave a speech at Bosphorus University. In his speeches,
Prodi praised Turkey for adopting "far-reaching political
reforms" in pursuit of EU membership. However, he also said
the GOT needs to implement recent reform legislation, and
called for further improvements in judicial independence and
efficiency, cultural rights, anti-torture efforts, and
religious freedom. In addition, he said the role of the
military in politics should be further reduced, in line with
EU norms. Prodi acknowledged European anxieties about
Turkey's size, and urged greater efforts in EU states and
Turkey to enhance mutual understanding and increase public
support in Europe for Turkey's EU candidacy. To that end, he
inaugurated a new EU information center in Istanbul. Prodi
averred that Turkey's young, dynamic population would be an
economic boon for the EU, and that Turkey's membership would

promote better relations between the West and the Muslim
world. He said a Cyprus settlement "would greatly
facilitate" Turkey's EU aspirations. "Let me be clear," he
said. "This is not a formal condition, but a political
reality."


--------------
Prodi Promises "Fair" Report
--------------



3. (U) Ayse Sezgin, head of the MFA Deputy Directorate
General for EU Affairs, told us Prodi did not go beyond his
public comments in his private meetings. Prodi told GOT
leaders the European Commission recognizes the impressive
progress Turkey has made toward meeting EU accession
criteria. But he did not indicate whether the Commission is
likely to recommend in its October progress report that the
EU at the December Summit set a date to begin accession talks
with Turkey. He promised that the report will be fair and
objective -- an "X-ray" of the situation in Turkey. He also
said the EU will not introduce new conditions or hold Turkey
to a higher standard than other candidate countries. In
Istanbul, a reporter tried to pin down Prodi's view of
Turkey's candidacy; Prodi said he supported Turkey in the
past as Italian PM, but his current role as Commission
president precludes him from taking a public position.


--------------
GOT: Date Needed to Continue Reforms
--------------



4. (C) Martin Dawson, head of the Political Section of the
European Commission Representation to Turkey, said Prodi went
out of his way to congratulate Erdogan and Gul on the
"impressive, surprising" human rights-related legislative
reforms the GOT has passed in its pursuit of EU membership.
Both the PM and FM appeared to understand Prodi's call for
greater implementation of the reforms. They also "talked the
talk" on Cyprus, telling Prodi they were committed to seeking
a solution by May, while insisting that the EU put more
pressure on the Greek side. Baykal, however, was defensive
on Cyprus, resorting to the "same old rhetoric" about how the
status quo is the best solution, causing Verheugen to roll
his eyes and to remark later to Prodi that Baykal's position
amounted to "stonewalling." Sema Kilicer, political officer
at the European Commission Representation to Turkey, told us
Erdogan and Gul warned Prodi that if the EU in December does
not offer Turkey a date to begin accession negotiations, it
will become politically very difficult for the GOT to
continue the reform process.


--------------
Parliament's Response Lukewarm
--------------



5. (C) Dawson said EU officials were surprised by the
lukewarm applause Prodi receive in Parliament. One Cabinet
member later told them he believed legislators were put off
by Prodi's emphasis on the lack of strong public support in
EU states for Turkey's membership. Kilicer, however, said
some GOT officials seemed to appreciate Prodi's call for
building public support in Europe, even if they are unsure of
how to follow up on it. A number of MFA diplomats have
raised the subject with her since the visit.






DEUTSCH