Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE643
2008-07-29 09:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/TURKEY: CALM EU REACTION TO AKP CASE
how-toVZCZCXRO8325 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHTC #0643 2110925 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 290925Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1798 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0691
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000643
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV NL EU TU
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/TURKEY: CALM EU REACTION TO AKP CASE
REF: STATE 79278
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons
1.5(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000643
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV NL EU TU
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/TURKEY: CALM EU REACTION TO AKP CASE
REF: STATE 79278
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons
1.5(b,d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch expect a "calm" EU reaction to the
controversial court case in Turkey against the ruling AKP
party. The Dutch are "gloomy," however, on prospects for
Turkey's accession to the EU. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) CALM EU REACTION: On July 25, Poloffs discussed reftel
points to Ms. Dominque Kuhling, head of the Enlargement
Section of the European Integration Department. (Note:
Charge d,Affaires will also deliver this message at a higher
level. End note.) Kuhling expected a ruling in the case in
early August, followed by a "calm" EU reaction in the form of
a shared opinion rather than a statement by the French
presidency. On the positive side, French President Sarkozy
has toned down his messages on Turkey following his meeting
with Turkish PM Erdogan. However, with 2009 likely to be the
last year for Turkey to respond to the Ankara protocol on
Cyprus and then negotiate the eight frozen chapters of the EU
acquis, the Dutch are pessimistic about prospects for
completion of the negotiations.
3. (C) GLOOMY DUTCH ASSESSMENT: Ms. Kuhling noted that in
light of its 2007 constitutional crisis, Turkey made few
reforms, but the Dutch had hoped that 2008 would be a "year
of reform." Progress has been limited, however, and the
Dutch do not expect much in the next months due to the AKP
case. Turkey's amendment to article 301 was a step in the
right direction but did not go as far in protecting free
speech as the Netherlands would have liked. Protections for
religious minorities and the "head scarf" issue are not
promising. In the Dutch parliament, the opposition Liberal
Party (VVD) may react strongly and publicly to the AKP
ruling, in opposition to Turkish EU membership. (Note: Ms.
Kuhling explained the Dutch MFA continues to follow their
2006 strategy on enlargement, following "strict criteria" for
new members to follow, though with open-ended negotiations
that aim for accession. The Dutch are particularly cautious
on Turkey and the Balkans. End note.)
Gallagher
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV NL EU TU
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/TURKEY: CALM EU REACTION TO AKP CASE
REF: STATE 79278
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons
1.5(b,d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch expect a "calm" EU reaction to the
controversial court case in Turkey against the ruling AKP
party. The Dutch are "gloomy," however, on prospects for
Turkey's accession to the EU. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) CALM EU REACTION: On July 25, Poloffs discussed reftel
points to Ms. Dominque Kuhling, head of the Enlargement
Section of the European Integration Department. (Note:
Charge d,Affaires will also deliver this message at a higher
level. End note.) Kuhling expected a ruling in the case in
early August, followed by a "calm" EU reaction in the form of
a shared opinion rather than a statement by the French
presidency. On the positive side, French President Sarkozy
has toned down his messages on Turkey following his meeting
with Turkish PM Erdogan. However, with 2009 likely to be the
last year for Turkey to respond to the Ankara protocol on
Cyprus and then negotiate the eight frozen chapters of the EU
acquis, the Dutch are pessimistic about prospects for
completion of the negotiations.
3. (C) GLOOMY DUTCH ASSESSMENT: Ms. Kuhling noted that in
light of its 2007 constitutional crisis, Turkey made few
reforms, but the Dutch had hoped that 2008 would be a "year
of reform." Progress has been limited, however, and the
Dutch do not expect much in the next months due to the AKP
case. Turkey's amendment to article 301 was a step in the
right direction but did not go as far in protecting free
speech as the Netherlands would have liked. Protections for
religious minorities and the "head scarf" issue are not
promising. In the Dutch parliament, the opposition Liberal
Party (VVD) may react strongly and publicly to the AKP
ruling, in opposition to Turkish EU membership. (Note: Ms.
Kuhling explained the Dutch MFA continues to follow their
2006 strategy on enlargement, following "strict criteria" for
new members to follow, though with open-ended negotiations
that aim for accession. The Dutch are particularly cautious
on Turkey and the Balkans. End note.)
Gallagher