MEPs : Yes to Mexico as "Strategic Partner", No to "Accession aim" for Turkey = Commonwealth/EEA ?

 EU Parliament voted for a "Strategic Parternship" with Mexico, but against "Accession aim" of EU-Turkey negotiations, revealing sharp Divisions between MEPs on Turkey at the eve of June 2009 EU Elections.

    MEPs' hot debates, in harshly disputed Amendments on Turkey's controversial EU bid, were in sharp contrast to the almost unanimous, calm ambiance the same day in EU Parliament in Strasbourg, to gladly speak and vote in favor of Mexico's strategic partnership..  

    Crossed visits by French and American Presidents, Sarkozy and Obama, to Mexico and Turkey respectively, before and after the Turkey and Mexico EU debates, reminded an earlier remark by Top French politician that our American friends shouldn't force the EU on Turkey's accession bid, as the EU never asked the US to enlarge to Mexico...

    EU Parliament just voted to reject "Accession" as "shared Objective" of the "Negotiations" with Turkey, that it prefers "long-lasting and Open-ended". But, on the contrary, it accepted as "common Objective" the "conclusion by 2009 of Accession Negotiations with Croatia", the frontrunner Western Balkan candidate.

    The Turkish problem could be solved by creating a new, intermediate level of strong links with the EU, a kind of "Commonwealth", inspired by the "European Economic Area" currently existing with Switzerland,  Norway and Iceland, said to "EuroFora" EU Parliament's Rapporteur on Enlargment Strategy, mainstream German MEP Elmar Brok.

    The idea is backed by the 2009 Election Manifesto of the largest Group of MEPs from the ChristianDemocrat/European Popular Party, as well as some smaller Groups from the Center or mainly the Right, but also several Independent MEPs and others accross various Parties and EU Countries, including at least one among "Greens/Regionalists", (generally pro-EU entry for Turkey).

 

    Shortly before June 2009 EU Elections, MEPs were sharply divided on Turkey's controversial EU bid, but, on the contrary, generally accepted the principle of accession, sooner or later, first for Croatia (the frontrunner Candidate) and afterwards for FYROM (aspiring to become Candidate), as soon as they fulfill the conditions.

    Croatia's fast moves towards concluding Accession negotiations, and FYROM's expectation to start negotiating, are currently "stalled", as EU Commissioner Oli Rehn said, because of "bilateral issues" which became also "European issues", about Border and Name disputes with EU Members Slovenia and Greece respectively.

    But the opposition to Turkey's demand to enter into the EU was widespread accross many MEPs from various EU Member Countries :

    - "Turkey is not a European Country, but in Asia minor". "We (EU) should forge a privileged Partnership,  but NO ENTRY in the EU", clearly said from the outset German MEP Bernd Posselt, on behalf of the largest Group, ChristianDemocrats/EPP.

    - On the contrary, "our group continues to support negotiations with Turkey, with a view to accession, but we shouldn't have any illusions about the Complexity of the process, and the length of Time it might take", said for the Socialists, Dutch MEP Jan Wiersma, citing f.ex. the Armenian Genocide, Freedom of Expression, Cyprus, etc. and stressing that "we(EU) shall never accept an Islamisation of the country".

    - "Blackmail would be Poor council", warned Turkey Polish MEP Konrad Szymanski, for the UEN Group.  Referring to the "Nabucco Statement" that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan reportedly made in Brussels, threatening to block a controversial Pipeline Project if EU insisted for Ankara to fullfil its commitments mainly on Cyprus, Szymanski found  "worrying, this latest attempt to link ...Cooperation to the Negotiations, which have been slowing down for entirely different reasons". Distinguishing between the two,  he noted that, "if we put aside the accession" controversy, "Turkey is a promissing Partner on energie policy". But the current situation of its controversial EU bid "is "not optimistic", since "we are witnessing many Delays from the Turkish side".

    - ""There is 1 Clear Message : For the 3rd Year in a row, too little was done" by Turkey to meet EU Criteria, criticized EU Rapporteur, Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Rujten. + And "we are not talking about "opening Chapters", etc. We (EU Parliament) are talking about things who impact on Citizens' lives", she added.

    - "We (EU) don't accept Blackmails about pipelines, neither on Cyprus, nor anything else", stressed also EU Parliament's Rapporteur on Enlargment Strategy, German MEP Elmar Brok, in reply to "EuroFora"'s question on the same Turkish PM's claim.

    It's along these main Dividing lines that all other MEPs, from various political Parties and Countries, moved during a hot debate, (even if those strongly opposed to Turkey's controversial EU bid were more numerous to take the floor) :

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NO ?
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    - "Things are going BACKwards" in Turkey, denounced, on behalf of German Liberals (growing in Polls before 2009 National Election), MEP Alexander Lambsdorf.   - "Critical Journalists have difficulties in getting Accreditation. We are concerned by the growing Number of Torture cases which is very worrying. etc.; This all looks like a ridiculus "merry go round", and it wasn't good to mix up in a same debate Turkey with Croatia, nor even FYROM, who have an undisputable EU vocation : "Next time we must do it separetely", he asked.

    - For Bastian Belder, of the Democratic Group, from the Netherlands, "we (EU) can't go by with this" situation in Turkey : Freedom of Expression is oppressed, unless some Media are puppets, lackeys, while there are Discriminations against Christians and other Minorities, etc. All this is an  Obstacle to EU Enlargment" towards Ankara, he denounced.

    - "Turkey is Asia, not Europe !", stresssed also the Italian MEP Mario Borghezio, from the "Union of Nations" Group. It's an Islamic Country which prohibits even to publish a critical cartoon on Moameth, and hinders the construction of other Religious buildings than Mosquees. Even our (EU's) Rapporteur (Mrs Ria Oomen-Ruijten), who wears pretty shirt and pants, could not enter in the Turkish Parliament !", he ironised.

    - Brittish MEP Gerard Batten, of the Democratic Group, observed that "if Turkey joins the EU it will be the Poorest and more Economically Backward member state, with a Population of over 72 Million People", Thus, "Hundreds of Thousands, if not Millions of People will migrate to other EU Countries, as Britain". And, "Thousands of Turks will be able to go to the South of Cyprus and Occupy it legally !" Moreover, "EU will border Syria, Iraq and Iran, with enormous potential for Conflicts", he noted, concluding that "the UK Independence Party opposes Turkey's entry" in the EU.

    - For the French Leader of the Right, Carl Lang from Strasbourg :  - "The Time has come to put an END to Turkey's EU Accession process ! The People of Europe don't want Turkey. Let's respect our People and respect Europe !". "This situation made of Deadlocks, Disagreements, Ambiguity, etc. is bad for both the EU and Turkey : Let's get out of this Hypocrisy and put an end to False Impressions !'".  "Turkey is an Asian country. Not a European one, neither Geographically, nor in Culture, or History. The Turkish Army occupies an  EU Member Country... It's time for each one to find its Liberty; Independence and Sovereignity, starting by Cyprus !", he concluded.

    - "People laugh about these unbelievable negotiations which could carry on for ever. Nothing really came out of the promisses, but a Miserable result. Turkey is not a European Country. It should NOT join the EU; but get a privileged partnership", stressed  Dutch MEP Philip Claeys.

     - Polish MEP  Boguslaw Rogolski denounced that "People are Discriminated in Turkey, both Minorities and Religions, and Human Rights are not respected, while Turkey does not even recognize Cyprus and occupies its land. For the sake of Europe, it's better to leave Turkey out, he concluded.

    - Even "Green/Regionalist" Dutch MEP Bart Staes who "was among those who had voted in favor of commencing (EU - Turkiey) Negotiations in 2005", now denounced that changes went "too slowly" : Turkey is "at a STANDSTILL during the 3 Last Years". This is "Unacceptable !".   - The Army is not supervised by Civilians, there is no really Free Expression, and TORTURE is intolerable, while there is no Political Solution to the Kurdish problem, he criticized

    - Bulgarian MEP Dimitri Stoyanov, spoke "against Turket's EU bid" after the votes, stressing that "there is no progres" by a State which wants to impose its own interests above Europe's human Rights and Christian values. Thus, "for 80 years, Turkey did not implement an Ankara's agreement, according to which it owes 10 Billion $ to Bulgaria", he said. In addition to the Armenian Genocide, "what to say f.ex. about the torture and genocide of Bulgarian people in the 19th Century at Stara Zagora and other cities, or when Turkish Islamists set fires at Bulgarian homes ?", he asked, pointing at "Islamist terrorists" even recently, and concluding that all this risks to be very bad for Europe.

    + "Errare Humanum est, perseverare Diabolicum" (make an Error is Human,  but insist is Devil's work): This latin moto fits well Turkey's accession negotiations' lamentable saga", added later French MEP Bruno Gollnish (Right). "Since 2005, the same Negative observations are repeated on Human Rights, Minorities' respect, commitments vis a vis the EU, etc., but accession is kept as an aim. However, the real problems are"  that a) "Europeans do not want ...a liberty of movement (for Turkish citizens) which would necessary result from accession", and b) "the fact that Turkey belongs, in Geography, Culture, Language and Religion, to a differend zone than Europe". "Thus, we must abandon this fiction, stop this accession mascerade, and start ..talks for a Partnership based on mutual interets. We must abandon any accession process", he concluded.

    - Brittish MEP Jim Alister (Independents), said that he had "Never supported Non-European Turkey's entry into the EU, but the current Economic downtown makes (him) more convinced than ever"  : - "When it comes to the Massive Additional Cost of Enlargment to include Turkey, we would be burdened beyond what we can bear", he warned. "With a reduced Tax base, falling income, and increased welfare outlay, and a cripling Debt ... we cannot go on taking our diminishing cheque-book to pay for Turkish Enlargment... It is inescapable common and Fiscal sense".
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YES, IF...
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    Compared to all that, some critical points made by Cyprus' and Greece's MEPs appeared as... soft music :  Paradoxically, Greece's and Cyprus' MEPs were among the few to speak quasi-unanimously in favor of Turkey's controversial EU bid, but under certain Conditions :

    - Speaking for the "EuroLeft" Group,  Cyprus' MEP Adamos Adamou, sticked to the hope that "EU Accession aim remains a ..Driving force for ..changes in Turkey's policies, in order to guarantee Minorities Rights, a Political Solution of the Kurdish issue, the recognition of Armenian genocide, and the lifting of embargo against Armenia". However, "Turkey must fulfil its obligations vis a vis the EU, as all other Candidates". "But, Turkey fails to comply with its commitments on Cyprus as EU member state. It refuses to open its Seaports and Airports to Cyprus' Ships and Planes, and to lift its VETO against Cyprus' participation to Internatiional Organizations. And, while it aims to find a role in the area, it persists to violate International Law by occupying Cyprus. Today, in the middle of Talks to solve Cyprus' issue, EU must insist on Principles and press Turkey to allow real progress, to stop its Occupation and act to clear out the fate of the "Missing" People. The Energy Chapter cannot open, if Turkey doesn't stop hindering Cyprus to use its Sovereign Rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone", warned Adamou. He reminded Rehn's statements that : "EU Commission is concerned by the harassment" against Ships searching for Gas in Cyprus'", and the 12/2005 EU Council's conclusion to discourage any acts which may affect negatively the Good neighborhood relations and the Peaceful resolution of differends".

    - "Turkey is now at a crucial crossroads, both internaly and for its geopolitic role. That's why it's necessary to reaffirm its European orientatiion", found Socialist MEP Marie-Heleni Koppa from Greece. "But, the climat of Tension provoked recently by Turkey at the Agean Sea provokes new problems", she criticized.

    - "I recognize Turkey's European perspectives", said MEP Georges Demetrakopoulos from Greece, (EPP). "But, for this to have a happy end, Turkey must : 1) Respect Minorities' Rights, and avoid, fex. policies it applies at Imvros and Tenedos" islands. "2) Ameliorate its relations with Greece, EU Member which supports its EU perspectives, by lifting, fex. the casus belli, and putting full Stop for ever to violations of Agean" space. 3) Make progress on Cyprus issue, marked by the withdrawal of Turkish Occupation troops, and a constructive stance", he concluded, reminding that he "was raised with the generation which reminded that "Borders are at Kyrenia", (Cyprus' city occupied by Ankara's army since 1974).

    - "I agree with EU Commissioner Rehn and Rapporteur Oomen-Rujten that it's vital for Turkey to propactively support the on going Talks" in Cyprus, and that, in order "to facilitate a suitable climat for negotiations", Turkey must "withdraw Turkish Forces and allow the two leaders to negotiate freely their country's future", underlined Cyprus' MEP Kyriakos Triantafyllides. But he also "called on Turkey to comply with its obligations regarding investigations into the fate of "Missing" persons, and to stop interfering in the Republic of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone. In so doing, Turkey will itself facilitate its way towards accession", he promissed.

    However, Greek MEP Maria Panayotopoulou-Cassiotou complained that a Question she has tabled since February by writting to EU Commissioner Rehn, on what has recently done Turkey  to meet its obligation vis a vis the EU to develop good-neighborhood relations with Greece, "didn't get any answer", neither by writting or orally during this debate, despite promisses.

    - "We saw only one golden year, but after 2004 (i.e. since the start of controversial "Negotiations" with the EU, in 2005, which notoriously provoked part of the "NO" to the French and Dutch Referenda on EU Constitution), the pace of reforms has been slowing down too much in Turkey", observed Dutch "Green" MEP Jost Langedjik, Chairman of the EU - Turkey JPC. "It's true that problems as the Freedom of Expression, etc. have not been solved. That all Religious Foundations' rights are not protected, nor a solution found on Alevis, neither on the Kurdish issue, or on the border with Armenia, etc., Despite all that, I think that many MEPs still support Turkey's EU bid, but we (EU) want to see real changes, he added.

    - "Unfortunately, we witnessed a Slow-down of reforms in Turkey in recent Years", noted EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Oli Rehn. But he found as "positive developments" recently, more TV in Kurdish language, the appoitnments of a Womens' Committee, of a "new Negotiator" and a "new Program" for the EU process. Curiously, Rehn said he was "encouraged" by Erdogan's earlier statements to Brussels, without mentioning the Nabbuco blackmail (See above)...
    However, he underlined the need to "genuinely respect Freedom of Expression" in Turkey, stressing that it's "a core European value". EU Commissioner added also later, in reply to MEPs, that, on Cyprus' issue "it's important to ensure that any Solution is in line with EU's founding Principles of Liberty, Democracy, respect for Human Rights and fundamental Freedoms, and the rule of Law". I.e. "a solution that creates a United Cyprus, ..able to curry the obligations of EU membership".

     - "We (EU) are concerned at the increased number of reported cases of Torture and ill-treatment, in particular outside official places of detention", warned EU chairman-in-office, Czech vice-Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra. "Significant efforts are needed" by Turkey after "2008 did not deliver the expected level of reform", he noted, citting also the "need for anti-Corruption" measures, the "Return of Displaced People", etc. "Urgent progress is awaited", he added, on the "important issue" of the "need for Turkey to fulfil its obligation of non-disrcimination" vis-a-vis Cyprus' related Planes or Ships, which "affects the pace" of negotiations, and on the EU "Declaration of 21 September 2005" : a reply to Turkey's 29 July 2005 refusal to recognize EU Member Cyprus.

    - Danish MEP Hanne Dahl said that "it's right to criticize Turkey on many points", but "I am for its accession to the EU", which must become "a continent respecting several, different Religions" and "various Peoples of different Cultures".

    - Turkish-origin Socialist MEP from the Netherlands, Emine Bozkurt, saw some amelioration in more TV time in Kurdish, the "creation of a Womens' Committee" in the Turkish Parliament, the establishment of "shelters" for "abused women" fleeing their family home, etc.,urging Turkey only to find women "where to go after those shelters", fight more against trafficking, mostly of women, and integrate more Women in Elections. Thus, she found that Human Rights would be "on the Agenda"

    - "We need a Wider, not a Deeper EU", according to British MEP Martin Callanan (EPP), who expressed "support" for "an eventual aim" of Turkey's "eventual EU membership", without "unfair and unbalanced obstacles", as he said. "However", he expressed also"Concerns" : "I am worried about Human Rights abuses in Turkey, ..and some actions taken against Minorities", "the Erosion of the Secular republican ideal and the growth of religion in politics", etc.

    - "Much has been said on the Lack of progress by Turkey. We (EU) invite her to prove its commitment in 2009 : Turkey has to deliver on long-awaited changes", concluded after the Debate, EU chairman-in-office, Czech vice-prime minister Alexandr Vondra.  
    "But, US President Obama may visit Turkey soon, as a modern Muslim country, and, thus, I think, it's not the time to give up our involvement" vis-a-vis Turkey, whose "strategic importance should not be underestimated", concluded in reply the Czech politician.
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* Votes' surprises :  - No to "Accession" as "shared Objective",  Yes to ECHR judgements asking to Investigate "MISSING" persons' fate. EU Resolution denounces lack of progress on reforms, but growing number of "Torture" cases.
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    But, a clear Majority in EU Parliament rejected afterwards a Socialist Amendment which claimed that  Turkey's "Accession" was "the shared Objective" of the negotiations, (which would not even be "long")...

    On the contrary, the adopted Resolution warns that "those negotiations" are only "the starting point for a Long-lasting and Open-ended process".

    - EU Parliament has just "rejected a Socialist request to fix Accession" as the goal of EU - Turkey negotiations. "This is a big success, and break-through for us (EPP), because the Resolution avoids expressly to specify Accession as a goal, and speaks of an Open-ended process, which lasts long, and whose exit today is still Unclear". "It's a large success for those who say "Yes" to a Partnership with Turkey mainly in Foreign Policy, but "No" to accession !", observed, after the votes, German ChristianDemocrat MEP Bernd Posselt.

    At present, EU Parliament "is concerned to see in Turkey, for the 3rd consecutive Year, a continuous Slowdown of reforms", and "calls on the Turkish Government to prove its..will to continue".

In particular, on Human Rights and Democracy :

    - "The Number" of "cases of Torture and ill-treatment" is "growing" in Turkey, denounces EU 2009 Resolution, expressing "Concern over the Failure of the (Turkish) Judiciary to prosecute" the torturers.

    EU "regrets that Freedoms of Expression and of the Press are still not fully respected in Turkey", denouncing "frequent Website bans", "Pressures on, and Lawsuits against Critical Press", while "People continue to be prosecuted for expressing non-violent opinions".
    
    In a last minute move, at the eve of a crucial CoE Ministers' 2009 check of Turkey's obligation to apply ECHR's judgements on Greek Cypriot "MISSING" People, next week in Strasbourg, MEPs adopted an Amendment "calling on Turkey to comply with its obligations under International Law, relevant UN SC Resolutions and ECHR's rulings" on "Investigations into the fate of MISSING persons"."This is done on the occasion of recent statements by Turkish soldier Olgac about killing, in 1974, 10 Greek Cypriot prisoners, who still remain MISSING", noted earlier, for the EuroLeft Group, Cyprus' MEP Adamou.

    EU is "concerned about continuing Hostility and violence against Minorities" (Religious or Ethnic) in Turkey. It "calls on the Turkish Government to launch, as a matter of Priority, a Political Initiatve favouring a lasting Settlement of the Kurdish issue, (while "condemning violence.. and Terrorist groups"). But MEPs also "call on the Turkish Government...to address the Problems encountered by ..the Greek Minority, with regard to their Education and Property Rights" in Imvros and Tenedos islands, as well as "for the immediate re-opening of the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary".

    MEPs "call on the Turkish Government to sign and submit for ratification the statute of the International Criminal Court", which persecutes mainly War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity.

    But EU also "regrets that no progress has been made on establishing full, systematic Civilian suprevisory functions over the (Turkish) Military". EU Parliament rejected an Amendement which asked Ankara to go softer against the "Ergenekon" scandal of Turkish Nationalist Extremists. MEPs "welcome .. the Trial against those accused of being members of the Ergenekon Criminal Organization", and "encourage .. to continue Investigations and to Fully Uncover the organizations' networks, which reachinto the (Turkish) State's structures", by using "Fair Trial" and "Rule of Law".  

 "Concerned by the Closure cases, opened in 2008, against two Parliamentary Parties, especially.. the DTP (pro-Kurdish)", MEPs denounce "the ongoing Polarisation with Turkish society, and between the main Political Parties".

    On Social issues, EU Parliament "regrets that No Progress has been made.. on Trade Union Rights"; which "remain subject to constraints", while "Women's access to Education.. regrettably remains the lowest among OECD countries". MEPs also "point .. to the need to address the Problem of Development Disparities among Turkish Regions, and between Rural and Urban areas, which is a Major Obstacle" to social prosperity.

    On GeoPolitical mainly aspects, EU Parliament "regrets ...that the NATO -
EU Strategic Cooperation" on many issues "continues to be blocked by Turkey's Objections, which has Negative Consequences for the protection of the EU personel deployed, and urges Turkey to set aside these objections as soon as possible".

    The problem, due to be debated during NATO's Heads of State/Government Summit, April 2009 in Strasbourg, at the initiative of German Chancelor Angie Merkel, (See earlier NewsReports), concerns mainly Turkey's refusal to recognize EU Member State Cyprus.
    
    It's one of the main "Issues covered by an EU Declaration .. of 21 September 2005", (which rejected a Turkish refusal of 29 July 2005), as reminded by EU Parliament's Resolution, which "invites (EU) Council to continue to follow up and review progress made" by Turkey in its obligation to comply.

    This reminder is made in the same paragraph where MEPs warn Ankara that the "non-fulfillment of Turkey's commitments", "by December 2009, may further seriously affect the process of negotiations" : Threat which might convince Turkey to move, and find a Solution, before EU reviews anew the situation on Autumn 2009..

    But the concrete "Turkey's commitments" explicitly cited in that paragraph, are mainly to "fully" "implement" EU Rules on free access of Ships and Planes from all EU Member States, including Cyprus, according to "the EC-Turkey Association Agreement and its .. Protocol", for the non-implementation of which MEPs express "regrets"

    Meanwhile, on Cyprus' overall political issue, EU Parliament "calls on Turkey to facilitate a suitable climate for negotiations by withdrawing Turkish forces, and allowing the two leaders to negotiate freely their country's future".

    EU Resolution "stresses the need for a comprehensive Solution of the Cyprus' question, based on UN SC Resolutions and on the Principles on which EU is founded". EU will "accept any agreement.. provided that it's in conformity with the Principles on which EU is founded, including the 4 fundamental Freedoms, except for temporary transitional Derogations, that is accepted after a Referrendum".

    Affecting such hot issues as 200.000 Greek Cypriot Refugees/Displaced People, the vote of a last-minute compromise Amendment, tabled by "Green" MEPs of Turkish-origin Ozdemir from Germany, and Dutch MEP Landedjik, on "temporary transitional Derogations" from EU's "fundamental Freedoms", (which reportedly had surprised initially even EPP's President, French MEP Joseph Daul), upset most Cyprus MEPs. Triantafyllides protested, after the vote, against "unacceptable derogations, even if transitional, to EU Principles and fundamental Freedoms,"at the moment that Talks are unfolding between the leaders of the two communities, which are the only one to decide". But Kasulides looked more "cool", pointing to the fact that EU set the principle of a solution "in conformity with the 4 fundamental Freedoms", tolerating "only temporary transitional derogations", and not permanent, if and as "agreed".

    On Greece - Turkey relations, EU Parliament "reiterates that the repeal of the Casus Belli ("cause for War"), declared by the Turkish GNA in 1995, would provide important impetus for further improvement of" bilateral "relations" between "the Turkish and Greek Governments". EU Resolution also "calls on the Turkish Government to make serious and intensive efforts to solve any outstanding dispute", as in the Aegean Sea, "peacefully and in accordance with UN Charter", and "other relevant International
conventions...", (fex. the International Treaty of the Sea, etc).

    MEPs also "call on the Turkish Government to re-Open its border with Armenia", and support "a process of reconciliation... allowing for a frank and open Discussion of Past events", in an indirect but obvious reference to the issue of the Armenian Genocide.

    On Iraq, EU "recalls its earlier appeals to the Turkish Government to respect .. Iraq's Territorial Integrity, Human Rights and the Rule of Law", "when conducting anti-terrorist operations", according to the Resolution, "and to make sure that Civilian casualties are avoided".

    Finally, EU Parliament refused an Amendment which apparently attempted to give Turkey a Monopoly of intermediation between "the West and the Arab and Islamic world", (as if Morocco, Algeria, or Tynis weren't geographically and traditionaly closer to EU Members Spain, France or Italy than ..Ankara !), via the "Alliance of Civilisations" project, but curiously forgot Israel and Jews, as well as other big Religions (fex. Budhists, African animists, etc). ..

    The rejected amendment, tabled by some Socialists and supported by most Greens and Leftists, but opposed by the EPP and the Liberals, the other Groups being divided, vainly searched to "praise Turkey on being a co-sponsor" of that "project, officially under UN auspices", as it claimed, and said that Ankara alone should "take measures on a Global scale (sic !), especially in the Political and Cultural spheres", according to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's ambitions.

    Apparently, EU Parliament's Majority believes that Europe, in 2009 AC., is big and experienced enough to be able to create direct links with its Arab and Israeli, as well as African or Asian neighbours...
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In the meantime, Mexico...
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    But while Turkey's controversial EU bid was still struggling with such "hot"  Metaphysical imbroglios, ... Mexico, on the contrary, gave way to a much more pragmatic, calm, and efficient-looking debate :

    - EU Investments ..  tripled (X 300% !) since a first EU - Mexico agreement, which came into force only since October 2000, (Europe becoming the 2nd investor), observed EU Commissioner Ferrero Waldner

    Mexico,, with a Population of over 100 Millions, "its Strategic Situation" between USA and Latin America, "and its Network of Trade Agreements", (as NAFTA with Canada and USA, but also Japan and Australia), "is of great Strategic Importance for European Exports". It is Member of the G-5 and G-8, "UNO's 10th biggest contributor", and an important actor against Climate change, while "many of Mexican immigrants in the EU are Highly Skilled", notes an EU Parliament Resolution adopted this week in Strasbourg.

    Thus, Spanish MEP Jose Ignacio Salafranca's Report for an "EU - Mexico Strategic Partnership" was discussed and voted calmly and quasi-unanimously the same day, contrary to the disagreements provoked by Turkey's controversial EU bid...

    While the initial 1997 EU - Mexico Agreement touched upon "Political Dialogue, gradual creation of a Free Trade Area, and Cooperation", the new 2009 "Strategic Partnership" aims not only to deepen Bilateral links, but also to boost a far-reaching Political Dialogue to "develop coordination on issues of World importance", inside "International Organizations", at a "Multilateral level", for "concrete issues of Global reach" on areas in the political, security, environment (fex. fight against Climate change), and socio-economic fields.

    EU Decisions are due soon, in view of the EU - Mexico Summit before the end of March 2009.
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    => Could all this boil down into making the idea to propose Turkey an EU-"Commonwealth", to develop from the EEA, which includes Switzerland, Iceland and Norway, advance further ?  

 Because, otherwise, the obvious alternative, as things stand, is the risk for ...EU itself to evolve as a kind of new "European Commonwealth", regardless of its name, while real European Integration might evolve, in the forseeable Future, through a revitalized EuroZone, which almost coincides with Shengen's area on Freedom and Security, (with a special arrangement for the UK, as it was already done at EuroZone's Historic 1st Summit at Elysee on October 12, 2008, which was surprisingly successful)...
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* "Missing" People : Turkey and Mexico

- In Turkey's case, Europe regularly asks to implement ECHR judgements which have condemned Ankara's authorities for persistent failure to investigate what really happened to many "Missing" persons in Cyprus and mainland Turkey.

Thus, after decades of inaction, followed by some recent revelations on possible crimes against innocent people, EU Parliament adopted, this week in Strasbourg, a last-minute Amendment urging Turkey to implement ECHR's judgements on "Missing" persons. The decision was not easy, since pressure is exerted by some sectors to limit the issue only in the search of Missing persons' remains (fex. bones, etc), without seeking to find out what happened to them and who was responsible.  (See PHOTO)

- In Mexico's case, EU, (as fex. during the visit of French President Sarkozy in Mexico this week), declares its solidarity with Mexican Authorities' struggle against several "Disappearances", mainly of women, advises to use legal methods against organised Crime, in this and oher fields, and offers practical help and cooperation for that purpose. In other words, Mexico's authorities are rather seen as sincerely trying to fight against impunity of criminals, (sometimes too hastily, risking perhaps inevitable errors), and EU offers to help.

In the rest of Latin America, several former Officials have been prosecuted as suspects to be responsible for "Enforced Disappearances" committed during the 1970ies, and some measures have been taken also by EU Member States' National Judges against some suspects, including even former President Pinochet, briefly detained in the UK.

The long-time President of UNO's committee on Enforced Disappearances, Professor Corcuera, in earlier statements to "EuroFora", stressed that, "from a legal point of view, these Crimes are considered to be continuing to be committed as long as their Families don't know what happened to the Missing People, and justice isn't done by finding and punishing those responsible for their disappearance".

CoE's Committee of Ministers is due to take exceptionally important decisions on Turkey's obligation to make effective investigations to establish the fate of MISSING persons, find and punish those responsible for their disappearance, according to ECHR's case law, next week in Strasbourg.