Paris, 17 April 2003: European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), Cyprus and Iraq were the main issues discussed during Jan Dirk Blaauw’s visit to Ankara (15-17 April 2003), where he met Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Defence Minister Vevdi Gönül and the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Bülent Arinc.

Speaking with Prime Minister Erdogan, President Blaauw assured him of the continued resolve of the Assembly to propose a permanent position for Turkey in the ESDP framework at a political-military level, given the crucial position of the country in the region and the importance of the region for the Union’s security interests and following its status as associated member of WEU.

The Turkish Prime minister considered that thought should be given to having less strict qualifications for those countries willing and able to participate fully in ESDP military operations while not being a full member of the EU.

The existing agreement between EU and NATO implementing “Berlin plus” would already provide a viable basis for Turkey’s participation in EU-led operations using NATO’s assets and capabilities. However, Prime Minister Erdogan would prefer Turkey having a permanent place in the ESDP framework.

The country was making great efforts to implement reforms needed before the start of negotiations on EU accession. Turkish Officials explained that more financial assistance was needed to address all the pre-accession obligations required by the EU.

With respect to the situation in Cyprus the Prime Minister made it clear that the UN proposal as presented by Secretary general Kofi Annan could still be the basis for an agreement over Cyprus. The present situation will have to be overcome with a mutual compromise in which both parties will have to make concessions on an equal level. He also argued that the EU had always taken the view that new member states could only be admitted after the solution of internal conflicts.  This rule had for some reason not been applied in the case of Cyprus.

President Blaauw agreed that for a successful agreement, both parties should be prepared to make concessions. He reiterated his proposal (made in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) that on the occasion of Cyprus’ accession to the EU, a clearing house mechanism should be established to allow full entrance in the EU for products from northern Cyprus in order to prevent that the EU import rules related to countries of origin would lead to a de facto embargo on goods from that part of Cyprus.

On Iraq President Blaauw’s Turkish counterparts expressed concern about ideas to establish a federal system in Iraq.