40 MEPs hinder EU Parliament's Majority to Vote on Suspending EU - Turkey Negotiations...

Unanswered questions started to be raised for the real reasons behind the unprecedented incident provoked by a tiny group of only 40 MEPs who hindered the Majority of EU Parliament (which has 755 MEPs in all) to Vote on a last-minute Amendment to "Suspend" Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, at the end of the Voting for the 2012 Annual Repport which strongly criticizes an obvious aggravation of Turkey's reluctance to respect EU Values and commitments !

No explanation was given on why some were so afraid to let EU Parliament's Majority free to simply vote "Yes" or "No" :

Were they afraid that a Majority of MEPs might really Vote to "Suspend" EU - Turkey's controversial and unpopular Negotiations, (which cost almost 1 Billion € each year, even during the Global Economic and Financial Crisis (equivalent to some 40 Billions € in Loans, while EU hasn't today enough Money to ensure the Multi-Annual Funding, not even of the most important, High-Tech, Space program of "Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security", alias GMES, which costs almost the Same amount, as Critical MEPs from various Political Groups revealed in reply to "EuroFora"s questions : See relevant, recent "EuroFora"'s NewsReports, and Infra) ?

Or, did they fear, perhaps, that, at least Many and/or Important MEPs might have been ready to Vote "For" the Suspension of EU - Turkey's negotiations, or risk, otherwise, to Disappoint their own Electoral base, loosing many Voters, considering also the Fact that a Majority of EU Citizens notoriously oppose Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid already since 2007-2009, and that this crystal-clear Refusal of European People would have even increased up to 71% at the end of 2011 according to recent Polls (f.ex. by the German Marshall Fund) in the 7 biggest EU Countries : France, Germany, England, Italy,  Austria,  Poland and Spain ?

The "Hot" Amendment, had been initially tabled, surprisingly, by  a MEP from Great Britain, a traditional supporter of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, (or, more precisely : agent executing USA's orders to push that, as it became obvious when New British Prime Minister Cameron suddenly started to speak loudly on that only immediately after he first met in Washington DC with US President Obama, while he hadn't said almost nothing relevant during his own Electoral Campaign back Home..) : - The Earl of Dartmouth, a former Universitarian and Business Executive, member of a small (even if growing) Party with roughly 1 Million Votes usually inside the UK (the UKIP), that the British People, suddenly propulsed up to the Sky by making it ...Second (2nd) Political Party of the UK, topping over the Liberals and even over the Labor Party ("Socialists" : then Governing party), exceptionaly at the 2009 EU Parliament Elections, when it campaigned under the Banner : - "No To Turkey's Accession in the EU !"... It was the 1rst time that the British People had a Chance to Vote on Turkey...

The surprising fact was that the Anouncement of that last-minute Amendment calling to "Suspend" Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU "Membership Negotiations" was Widely Applauded by many other MEPs, from numerous Countries and various Political Groups, from one side to another of EU Parliament's Hemicycle, as even abundant Video proof attests, (while, on the contrary... many MEPs expressed loudly their Disappointment shortly afterwards, when a Tiny Minority of only 40 MEPs hindered EU Parliament's Majority from even having a Chance to Vote on that crucial issue, -Comp. Supra)...

Perhaps a reason for this unexpectedly large impact of the "Hot" Amendment on "Suspending" EU - Turkey negotiations could be the Topical Fact that its Motivation denounced Turkey's obviously Opportunistic and, therefore, unreliable Flip-flops for or against the controversial Syrian President Bashar Assad (a former vocal Supporter of Turkey's unpopular EU bid, that Assad repeatedly tried to promote in all his EU contacts, f.ex. since the 2008 creation of the "Union for the Mediteranean"'s in Paris, etc), by stressing that EU "Membership Negotiations with Turkey should be Suspended, until Turkey terminates the "Visa-Free" Agreement which it signed in 2009 with the Regime of the President of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad", currently accused to bear grave Responsibilities for the Brutal Killings of some 8.000 Persons, arbitrary Arrests and/or Torture of much more Victims, etc. : A "Visa-Free" deal with Assad's regime, which may become Dangerous even for Refugees fleeing Violence in Syria, as it was revealed also by a recent Scandal of the brutal Kidnapping of a Key-Dissident inside a Refugees' Camp in Turkey by Syrian regime's Agents, who reportedly arrested, blind-folded and brought back inside Syria their Victim, subsequently exploited by Mr. Assad's Propaganda...

+ Such "Visa" issues might have motivated also various other MEPs who observe, like Mainstream Spanish new Governing Majority's MEP Francisco Jose Millán-Mon (EPP/ChristianDemocrats), that Turkey, "surprisingly",  "moves Away from EU Policies, towards an Opposite Direction", because, f.ex., "on Visas", "Turkey recently concluded agreements if Visa-Suppression with Sudan and Yemen", while, already, Nationals from Countries like Syria, Libya, Lebanon and even Iran don't need Visas there !" In consequence, "The Exception from Visa to such Countries, and Thousands of Kilometers of land borders, make of Turkey the favorite route of Mafias !", he warned.

- As well as EU Parliament's  Security and Defence Committee's vice-President, former Minister of Defense, Cyprus' Socialdemocrat MEP, Kyriakos Mavronicolas, who denounced also the fact that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has recently warned that he aims to transfert from mainland Turkey up to 1 Million illegal Settlers in the Occupied Territories of Cyprus, so that any Hope for a Poltical Solution ReUnifying the island would be Obstructed in the Future, (as both CoE's Committee of Ministers and Assembly have already warned in the Past, since early 1990ies and 2000ies).

- Such Problems with Turkey are undeniably Real and Topical, as attests also the Resolution finally adopted by EU Parliament today, where a Majority of MEPs, also denounce from the outset (Article 3) "the Large percentage of illegal Immigrants entering EU territory via Turkey", and "ask"  to "Intensify ...the Fight against Human Trafficking and Border Controls", as well as "the progressive convergence of the Visa policies of Turkey and the EU with regard to citizens of 3rd countries", neighbouring Turkey, such as Iraq, Syria, Iran, etc..
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+ But there are certainly much More Reasons, as, f.ex., the fact that, during yesterday's EU Parliament Plenary's Debates, many MEPs from various EU Countries started to explicitly raise in Public the issue of the Huge and Growing amount of Money (about 1 Billion € in Grants, = almost 40 Billions in Loans !) given by the EU each year to Turkey under the sole pretext of initially (1999/2000) so called "Accession" Negotiations, which have been, in the meantime, rejected by a Majority of EU Citizens in Democratic Elections, and re-defined by EU-Council of Heads of State/Government, as "Open-ended" (See Infra) :

- "We (EU People) are fed up with all that Money given for pre-Accession aid" to Turkey, "without even knowing if it's used (by the Turkish State) in order to fund the Harassment and Imprisonment of Journalists, or the (Military) Invasion and Occupation of Cyprus !", strongly denounced  young  MEP Lorenzo Fontana from Italy.

- "Turkey moves Away from Europe, but, meanwhile, it's glad to take EU Money !", denounced also Austrian MEP Andreas Moelzer, Journalist/Publisher of "Zur Zeit" magazine, citting the Recent "Worsenings in the Problems of Media Freedom, Freedom of Opinion and Human Rights' Violations in Turkey", while "Prime Minister Erdogan extends his power even further with Constitutional reforms", "the Islamisation of the country", and "Turkey's attitude vis a vis the Armenian Genocide, the Turkish Arrogance against the next EU Chairmanship by Cyprus, etc.". That's why he launched a call to "make it clear, once for all, that Turkey is not an European Country, and will Never enter inside the EU !".

- "Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan described UN Sanctions against Iran as, ..I quote, ‘a Mistake’. Since March 2011, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria have issued tourist Visas valid for those 4 countries together. Turkey, ..has a customs union with the EU, but it also has a customs union with the five Turkic-speaking countries of Central Asia. The inconvenient truth is that Turkey is a regional power of the Middle East, ...Turkey is an Asian country, ... that does not tolerate meaningful dissent. Turkey should Not even be considered for Membership of the EU, and it certainly should Not be receiving almost one Billion € / a Year in pre-accession Funding", criticized MEP Earl of Dartmouth from the UK.

- "Many Journalists sit in Prison and even cartoonists are prosecuted. Freedom of expression and even of opinion is increasingly, more and more limited, under AKP's Islamization Agenda. Corruption increases, and illegal Immigration through Turkey augments even more. But the most outrageous is that the illegal Turkish (Army) Occupation of an EU Member State : Cyprus, still persists today, for more than 35 Years. Turkish Minister Bagis even threatens to Annex the (occupied) Northern part of Cyprus, and will soon illegaly perform in Cyprus : All this is a pure Threat of War by Turkey vis a vis Europe. It's unacceptable !" - "Each year we see Critical (EU) Reports on Turkey, but we do nothing : Turkey is even rewarded wih more than 800 Millions € from EU Taxpayers' Money !", denounced also Dutch MEP Barry Madlener, of the New Governing Coalition, including Freedom Party : Biggest single Winner of fresh Votes at the 2010 Elections in the Netherlands, (which led in the formation of a New Government: Comp: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/dutch2010vote.html), shortly afterwards influencing, even more Widely, also nearby Belgium' 2010 Elections No 1 Winner : "New Alliance" NVA Flamish pro-European party, whose Program refuses any EU link to Turkey. (Comp.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/belgiumcoherentmajority.html )

    But, Financial-political arguments, sometimes took also another, rather complementary, turn : - "Greece (whose accumulated Debt needed an EU/IMF bailout) is obliged to pay more than any other EU Member State for Defence expenditure : + 3,5% of GDP", while f.ex., Turkish Defence Minister recently anounced that Ankara will buy 100 Fighter Airplanes F-15 for the next 4 Years, and, just 1 Month afterwards, on March 21, the Turkish Ship "Piri Reis" started illegal (Oil/Gas) search activities inside the Greek continental shelf, and on March 24, the Turkish Military Ship "Gaziantep" intruded in Greek territorial waters, reaching up to Sounion's Possidon templar in front of Athens !", topically denounced mainstream Greek MEP, former Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Georges Cumutsakos (EPP/ChristianDemocrat), of the Governing coalition.  

    - Several Other MEPs also pointed towards a Suspension, or even Final "Stop", of EU - Turkey Negotiations, mainly because of Ankara's Threats to Boycot soon EU Council's forthcoming rotating Presidency by Cyprus (July - December 2011), as, f.ex., Dutch MEP Barry Madlener (of the New Governing Coalition), Greek MEP Nicolaos Salavrakos (until recently in the Governing Coalition), etc., strongly denouncing such a "Contempt" vis a vis EU's institutions, which should, then,  "Never return at the Negotiating table" with Ankara, and "Stop further activities" in this regard, as  they warned, respectively.
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+ Moreover, the move followed an earlier anouncement, by Bulgarian Governing Coalition's partner MEP Stoyanov, that, "last week, famous French "Green" MEP José Bové, together with 3 other MEPs, had just prepared a Letter to EU Council's President Van Rompuy, also asking to "Suspend" Turkey - EU Negotiations" !

- In addition, in a written Question tabled to EU's Foreign Policy High Represenative and EU Commission's vice-President Cathy Ashton,  "Green" MEPs Bové and Alfonsi denounced, earlier  this Month the fact that, while "the situation is getting Worse" in " Kurdistan", (which) is again facing a violent conflict with many Civilian Victims, particularly among the Kurdish population", neither the Family, nor his Lawyers or Friends have received any News "for 230 Days" from Ocalan, who "is held by the Turkish Government in Solitary confinement", as they noted.

    - "Appalling Repression is taking place. Nearly 6.500 activists have been imprisoned for belonging to the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party). Among them are a number of Elected office-holders, including members of Parliament, such as Ms Leyla Zana, to whom the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize in 1995 and who, 20 years ago, was imprisoned for eight years", the MEPs' Question denounces in particular.

    - "Kurdish activists have responded to this repression by embarking on all-out Protest. In Turkish Prisons, 400 activists, including four MPs and Journalists and Lawyers, went on Hunger Strike, 29 Days ago. Not far from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, 15 people (5 women and 10 men) have been on Hunger Strike for 14 days", "Green" MEPs Bové and Alfonsi noted already on March 15, asking "reliable information on Mr Öcalan’s state of Health, his conditions of detention and the degree of respect for his rights"; as well as an EU "action ...  to ensure both a Peaceful outcome to the Kurdish issue, and Respect for the Rights of the Kurdish People"
    
    + More generally,"we all know that Turkey did Not meet the Criteria at the time the accession Negotiations to Begin at all, and it has now gone from Bad to Worse : - There are currently more than 1000 People in Prison in Turkey, purely because of the opinion they have proclaimed. There are professors, civil servants, army officers, writers, Journalists and Elected politicians. Do we want to have that kind of countries inside the EU? The attitude of Turkey towards Cyprus is a Scandal, as well as its foreign policy that is increasingly turning Away from Europe". => "So, finally,  Let's Pull the Plug under this (EU - Turkey Negotiation) process,  and decide once and for all that EU wants to remain European !", invited also MEP Philip Claeys from Belgium.
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     - Considering EU Conditions that Turkey should fullfil, indeed, "as EU Parliament we are very much Concerned about Freedoms, and particularly Press freedom. Moreover, pre-trial Detentions are too long, and "anti-terrorist" Turkish legislation is too wide, giving prosecutors too large possiblities to jail People, and has to be really reformed". Moreover,  "on ...relations with Cyprus, I really urge Turkey to try to do something", stressed in addition EU Parliament's Rapporteur, Dutch ChristianDemocrat MEP, Ria Oomens-Ruijten, in a Press Conference after the votes.,     

    + But, in particular, "I really have concerns on the large number of People jailed for mere statements or demonstrations in the Kurdish areas, as well as for the massive imprisonment of Elected Kurdish Representatives, she denounced for the 1st time on 2012, while also criticizing "PKK's terrorism", as she repeated, reminding previous years' qualifications, before the recent, new tactics of apparently fighting only (?) against Military targets, particularly near External Borders. => - "A Political Solution to Kurdish issue is absolutely important", EU Parliament's Rapporteur concluded.
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    => When the growing "Wind of Changes" recently flowing throughout  the Medditerranean since the spreading Popular Movements for Democracy/Human Rights and Justice, crossing all Arab Countries, at last arrives Today until Syria and Turkey's borders as well as Kurdish regions, all these recent, seriously Negative Incidents about Turkey, obviously give a very Bad Mesage today to all Arab and other concerned People, as several MEPs already observed, critically

    - "At this Critical juncture for the Arab World, what Example gives Turkey's EU Accession bid, that some had expected in Vain to be a Model for Democratization, as far as it concerns "concrete" aspects, such as "the Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom ?", wondered Dutch MEP Bastiaan Belder.

    Such undeniable Facts, obviously leave, in fact, much more ..."Morocco" (whose King recently accepted deep Democratic Reforms, and an unprecedented Trasfert of Powers to People's representatives, including stronger Decentralisation, etc., succeeding to ease the intially strong social tensions),  really "able to veritably aspire to be a role Model for other countries, in the Arab world and .... in the Region", "if (it) continues on its path of reforms", as EU Parliament's President, Germa, experienced SocialiDemocrat MEP Martin Schulz stressede earlier this week (See : http://www.eurofora.net/brief/brief/schulzmorocco.html ), "sharing" with the Morocco King a "Commitment to deepen the Euro-Mediterranean partnership", particularly in view of Schulz's "UFM" Assembly's chairmanship, (where all EU Countries, and Mediterranean Arab States, Turkey and Israel are Members), which has just started for a year (March 2012 - March 2013).

    - In particular,  Schulz "welcomed" also Morocco's "encouraging efforts towards Regional Cooperation" with all its Neighbours without any exception, which is "a necessary condition for increased prosperity and security in the region", as he said,
    while Turkey, on the contrary, is notoriously "Blocking its International Borders towards Armenia", as Brittish MEP Charles Tannock denounced during Wednesday's EU Parliament's Plenary Debates, refusing even to recognize the forthcoming EU rotating Chairman : Cyprus, partly Boycots Israel, bullies Greece (See f.ex. MEP Cumutsakos' denonciation of March 2012 Turkish provocations at the Aegean Sea, etc), multiplies gross interferences even in the internal affairs of France, adding Threats of boycot, etc...     

    As for Geo-Political importance, Morroco already imports Oil/Gas from Algeria in the EU through Spain by an existing Pipeline, while it is due to also play an Important role in the Germany-led Plan to produce Solar Electric Power in the Sahara ("DESERTEC"), and can even provide a unique Link between Europe and Africa via High-Speed Train, Trans-Continental links, that France is starting to build, and EU could help extend towards many other African Capitals, accross both the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Atlantic Ocean's shores of the Strategically located Country,

    while Turkey, on the contrary, hasn't, notoriously, yet found any adequate quantity of Gas to ship towards Europe, and hasn't any interesting, calm, positive and cooperative neighbouring Countries to link to, except from "Hotspots" Iraq, Syria and Iran)...

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EU Council :

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    - "We can all see that (the initially, so-called) Accession Negotiations are NOT Advancing", acknowledged from the outset, speaking on behalf of EU Council, the rotating Chairman-in-office, Danish Minister for EU affairs, Nicolai Wammen.     - But, at any case, "Turkey and the EU have an obvious mutual interest in upholding Strong Ties with each other", particularly in order to "contribute into containing and overcoming Tensions in our Neighbouring regions", he pointed out.

    - Therefore, "IF an Opportunity for progress in Negotiations arises, the (1-6/2012) Danish (EU)Presidency stands ready to seize it.... But, needless to say, this will Require Additional Significant Efforts from the Turkish side", Wammen warned.

    - In the meantime, "we must not lose sight of Turkey’s and the EU’s mutual interest in Deepening our Relations, in Spite of the Challenges encountered in the formal Accession Talks". That's why, "we will also act in support of (EU) Commission’s "Positive Agenda", which "should be a Complement to the negotiations, and not a Substitute".  Our "Aim ..is to do our utmost to facilitate progress in the enlargement Negotiations, ...and (in parallel, meanwhile), to strengthen the Relationship between the EU and Turkey".This 2nd, differend move "is still at an Early Stage, but we (EU Council) are following and supporting developments with great interest", as he said, significantly speaking on behalf of both those EU Countries which haven't yet openly opposed Turkey's controversial  and unpopular EU bid, and those EU Countries which have clearly stressed that they Refuse that...

    - At any case, "in direct relevance" to the 1st, initial process, are today "some very Important Issues (which) have to be addressed", and "especially ... Freedom of Expression", where "the High Number of cases brought (by Turkish Authorities) against Writers and Journalists raises Serious Concern", the Danish 2012 EU Presidency denounced.

    + Moreover, "one Unresolved Issue which has a direct Bearing on both the Negotiations, and, more widely, on EU-Turkey Relations", is that, as EU . "Council notes with Deep Regret,  ..Turkey – Despite our Repeated Calls – has so far Failed to fulfil its Obligation under the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement, (i.e., practically, to Stop Discriminating against Cyprus'-related Airplanes and Ships) ...in the Absence of progress.... the EU will maintain its Measures from 2006, which will continue to Affect overall progress in the negotiations", he declared, speaking of the No 1 Comitment Turkey officially undertook  since 2004/2005 in order to Start such Negotiations with the EU, and, therefore, whose Inobservance should, normally (i.e., both Legally and Politically), be enough in order to Suspend or Stop any Negotiation opened under this -non yet fullfilled- condition...

    ++ In addition, EU "Council has Regretted statements by Turkey, Threatening to Freeze relations with the EU Presidency during the 2nd half of this Year", (July- December 2012, i.e. during Cyprus' EU Chairmanship). On the contrary, EU "expect(s) Turkey to make progress towards Normalising its relations with the Republic of Cyprus without further delay". Also because "the Rotating Presidency is a Fundamental Institutional feature of the EU, provided for in the EU Treaty, and must be Fully Respected", EU Council's Chairman-in-office Warned Turkey.
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    - "It's true that Accession Negotiations don't advance and have Freezed", admitted even Socialdemocrat MEP Maria-Heleni Koppa from Greece, denouncing the fact that "Today, more than 100 Journalists are in Prison, while, recently, (Turkish Prime Minister) Erdogan himself declared that a Book can be as Dangerous as a Bomb", at the same time that "Turket claims that it doesn't intend to have any Contact with the forthcoming Cyprus' (EU Council) Presidency" : "Turkey must understand that this stance will have Consequences", and that "there is Not any Automatically advancing Process". EU requires firm commitments proved by deeds and acts, and not by coming and going", therefore, "Turkey's behavior, with 1 step forward, and 2 steps Backwards, is unacceptable", she concluded.

    -  Indeed, today, "the Question is even whether Turkey really wants to become a European Country".  Because the most important, persisting "Defects in the Turkish System concern mainly Democracy, according to the prevailing views". But this concerns "Fundamental Structural elements of a truly Democratoc Governance, such as Freedom of Speech, Religious Freedoms, various National Communities' Freedom to keep their Cultural Identity, ... a Diplomatic approach on Foreign Policy issues avoiding Threats, focusing on Good Neighbourhood relations, avoiding Violations of Other Countries' National Territory and Provocations against Neighbours, as well as Respect of the Principles and Values of the Organization in which Turkey asks to enter as a Member, and, thus, the Obligation it has to Recognize all Parties which constitute the EU. Added to all that, Turkey's refusal to apply the already existing Agreements and the Problem of Illegal Immigration from Turkey, raises many Questions", concluded the Head of the EPP/ChristianDemocrat MEPs from Greece,  long-time MEP Marietta Gianakou, former Culture Minister.

    However, such Critical "Questions", even if undeniably Important (as they certainly are, at least in Theory, vis a vis any Foreign Neighbouring State that EY funds with many Hundreds of Millions € given in Grants each Year i ..),  are not even necessary for Many other MEPs in order to clearly Oppose Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid at any case :

      - "The main Criterion of whether a State may become (EU) Member  is whether it  is a European state (A), and meets the Conditions" (B). But, "Turkey is not a European state. I am a federalist, in favour of a Strong Europe. This canNot exist with Turkey as full Member !",  clearly stressed mainstream, experienced German MEP Berndt Posselt, from the Governing CDU/CSU Party (EPP/ChristianDemocrat), speaking almost according the line favorable also to French President Sarkozy..

    => "Therefore we have to find Other forms of integration. ... I'm for an Honest policy towards Turkey. As one of your predecessor, Mr. Fule (EU Commmissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood policies), once said: "Don't worry, ...Turkey will Never be a member, Anyway", (reference obvously to another Socialist, former EU Commissioner on Enlargement : Günter Verheugen). This was a man who has spoken in public constantly in favour" (of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid)...  The Turks feel this Dishonesty. For us, it's clear that we want a Partnership, but No full Membership. .. Everything else is a Destabilization of both Turkey and the EU !", the longh-time German MEP (and former Journalist) warned.
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EU Commissioner on Enlargement and Neighbourhood policies, Stefan Fuhle, (Socialist)'s "Personal beliefs" (on Turkey's EU bid) to MEPs : - "Don't Split !"
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    => Apparently surprised by the multitude and variety both of MEPs' Criticism and of calls to "Suspend" or  even "Stop" the notoriously controversial and unpopular Turkey's EU bid, (of which, the above mentioned cases are just a few examples among many more others), EU Commissioner on Enlargement and Neighbourhood policies, Stefan Fuhle, (Socialist), said that, "Personally, I believe" that "this House (EU Parliament) should not be Split on" Ankara's EU claims, and asked MEPs to support "Clear Rules of the Game", as he said, "at the End of this process", (as if the moment for Turkey to enter in the EU might be coming soon)... :

    - "The 1st is the Accession Treaty", Fuhle went on to add (about his "Personal beliefs"), according to which "Turkey" should "approximate its Legislation fully with he EU Acquis", in "All Negotiating Chapters", as he said, curiously  ommitting to mention the fact that Many Chapters have been Excluded from EU Negotiations with Turkey, according to crystal-clear, official Decisions of EU Council of Heads of State/Government, both in 2006 and from 2007 onwards, as well as on 2009 EU Summits, because of Ankara's persistent refusal to respect several among its key obligations. ..

    - "Number 2 (?) is the consensus of all (EU) Member States, (many of which notoriously have already rejected Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, according to numerous Electoral commitments to a crystal-clear Majority of EU Citizens), and the procedure to Ratify this approval", as he acknowledged, (probably anxious after the 3 "No" in EuroReferenda in France, the Netherlands and Ireland, between 2005-2007).

    - "And the 3rd is an Impact Study, showing clearly the impact of  (an hypothetic) Turkish (EU) Membership, and also showing clearly ... how the process is to be managed to the benefit of both the EU and Turkey", as Mr. Fuhle said, apparently presenting in his own, "Personal" way, the famous Condition, (added after German Chancellor Angie Merkel's 1st electoral win in Berlin since the end of 2005), according to which, in order for the EU to accept any new Enlargement,  it should previously make sure that it is really possible "Integrate" this or that new member, (from all points of view  : Economic/Financial, Social Cohesion, Population, Culture, willingness of the candidate Country to respect EU Values, etc).

    + But the Socialist EU Commissioner on Enlargement and Neighbourhood policies went even further in his "Personal" Reply to MEPs' debate, expressing also the obviously Controversial View and "Hope that this House is not going to Split on the issue that the Best way to...help Turkey, to strengthen Democracy, is actually the (notoriously Unpopular, Turkey's EU) Accession process. ....I do not believe that building a big wall between us and Turkey would improve the very fundamental Rights (of Turkey's population) so many of you referred to", Mr. Fuhle added. In fact, "The (EU) ACCESSION process IS THE ONLY WAY to make the EU the benchmark of the Reforms in Turkey", he even claimed, augmenting the tone...

    I.e., curiously : (1) As if Safeguarding EU's standards on Human Rights and Democracy respect inside Europe itself might not be the Priority.  (2) As if EU's Neighbourhood and/or Foreign policies vis a vis all neighbouring Foreign Countries might be totaly .. useless for the promotion of Democracy and Human Rights around Europe and in the whole World !... (3) As if more than a Decade (1999-2012) after Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU "Candidate" status, Facts and recent Developments didn't prove that it has obviously Failed to really Change the notoriously Undemocratic and Oppressive, retrograde character of the Turkish regime, (except from enriching a tiny Minority inside the Turkish establishment,; thanks to the -ab ?-use of EU Taxpayers' Money). (4) As if the Democraticaly expressed Will of the Majority of EU Citizens against Turkey's controvresial and unpopular EU bid, (f.ex. in Unprecedented Majority Abstentions to EU Parliament's Elections immediately provoked since EU "Candidate" Status was given to Turkey : 1999-2004+ ; Three "No" to EuroReferenda in France, the Netherlands and Ireland : 2005-2007 ; National Elections in France : 2007, Germany and Bulgaria : 2009, Austria, Hungary - the Netherlands - Belgium, etc. on 2010 ; Finland 2011, etc. as well as in EU Parliament's Elections on June 2009, added to Many Polls between 2006-2011, etc), didn't count at all... And (5) as if both EU Council Summits' of Heads of State/Government and EU Parliament's official Decisions, regularly confirmed during Many Years, hadn't already Decided, in a crystal-clear way, that Turkey's controversial EU Negotiations are NOT an ordinary "Accession process", but, on the contrary, only an "OPEN-ENDED PROCESS". (See also Infra), which may also conclude with a simple "Privileged Partnership" or any other kind of "Close Relationship" or "Neighbourhood policy" linking EU to Turkey, as it's also done wih other EU partners.... (etc).

 -  Surprisingly ...Criticizing MEPs, i.e. EU Citizens' Democratically Elected Representatives, the Socialist EU Commissioner even Complainted, that "IN THIS DEBATE, I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE SINGLE IDEA (sic !) how to do it (Turkey's controversia and unpopular EU bid)  better, and more efficiently to the benefit of the Turkish people. I have not heard it, and I am Afraid I will Not hear it (even) in the Future !", Mr. Fuhle conluded with an unprecedented Bitterness and obvious Pessimism, as far as Ankara's chances  to ever enter in the EU, are concerned...

    I.e., as if he hadn't heard all those MEPs (and Reports, and International Human Rights NGOs, etc) who repeatedly called to see, at last, some Serious "Sanctions" against Turkey's persisting grave Violations of Human Rights, Democracy and International Law contempt, regretting the Dangerous Impunity which notoriously continues for too long among Criminals even among Turkish State's Agents, (as abundant ECHR's Judgements and case-law proved during the last 15 Years), and Warning that such persisting EU concessions vis a vis Ankara's regime, despite its blatant Disrespect of any among its more important Commitments, naturally Risk to make those responsible for that Failure, dangerously Shameless, (comp. Supra).

    - However,  in general, "the EU Accession process is Not there to Compromise on our Values", promissed EU Commissioner Fuhler.  - "The Accession process is for Turkey to embrace the Values the EU is so Firmly based on", he went on to add, curiousy insisting to stick to his "Personal Belief" (comp. Supra), which, obviously, does Not correspond, here, with the Official EU collective Decisions (of EU Council, EU Parliament, etc), and, notoriously, even less with that of European People...

    => - "Why should this House (EU Parliament) be Split on this process?", Mr. Fuhle repeatedly Wondered, curiously taking as granted that MEPs might be "Split" on Turkey's controversial EU bid, despite the Fact that, on the Contrary, both June 2009 EU Parliament's Elections, and many previous and subsequent National Elections in various EU Member Countries, clearly were Won by Political Majorities supporting Stronger Conditions or, much more frequently, a crystal-clear Refusal vis a vis Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid...  
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EU Parliament's 2012 RESOLUTION :
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    >>> - "The Opening of such (EU) Negotiations (with Turkey) is the Starting point for a Long-lasting, and OPEN-ENDED PROCESS, based on Rigorous Conditionality, and the Commitment to Reform", replied on this Fundamental point a large Majority of 517 against only 66 MEPs, as the 2012 Resolution on Turkey, adopted by EU Parliament's weekly Plenary in Strasbourg this Thursday, makes it crystal clear from the outset.

    + Any Past (1999-2006) wording about a so-called EU "Accession" of Turkey has been Erased from EU Parliament's official Annual Reports' Headings, (after EU Council's December 2006 Collective Decision to "Freeze" 6 Negotiation Chapters), since October 2007, (and this was constantly Confirmed since, both on February 2010 and on March 2011, clearly reminds, already from the Start in its Considerants, also the New Resolution adopted Today by an overwhelming Majority of 517 votes for, with only 66 votes against, this March 2012.
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"Enhanced Good Neighbourhood Relations + Political/Economic Partnership"
compared to controversial/unpopular + not advancing "Accession Negotiation"
-------------------------------------
    Adding, meanwhile, a fresh New Reference to "the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU", which entered into force from December 2009, EU Parliament's Resolution for the Annual evaluation of "Turkey's progress", or not, observes that, at any case, "Turkey has committed itself to reforms, good neighbourly relations and progressive alignment with the EU, and ...these efforts should be viewed as an Opportunity for Turkey itself to Modernise, and consolidate and further improve its democratic institutions, the rule of law and the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms", i.e. regardless of EU Accession of Not, (considering also that EU pays to Ankara more than 800 Millions € each Year in full Grants, i.e. the equivalent of about 40 Billions € in Loans !, in addition to its participation to certain EU programs). In this (Differend) regard, recently, EU "Commission has launched a renewed "Positive Agenda" between the EU and Turkey, in order to Shape the Future jointly in a proactive way", which "builds on the solid fundamentals of EU-Turkey Relations", (i.e. Independently of Enlargement, of not), as a "New Initiative (which) does Not replace ..Accessions Negotiations, but"  aims "to support Reforms and expand Rights and Freedoms for Turkish Citizens", for ther own interest too, EU Parliament observed, apparently pointing at something New and Differend :

    - In this regard, i.e. " for its own (Ankara's) benefit, and with a view to Enhancing Stability and promoting Good Neighbourly Relations and positive political and economic Partnership, Turkey Needs to step up efforts to Solve outstanding Bilateral Issues, (including unsettled legal obligations and Land and Maritime Border and Airspace disputes with its immediate Neighbours, in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter and with international law", the 2012 EU Parliament's Resolution lists as still unfullfiled obligations.

    All this might be summed up with the New Wording about EU - Turkey "Interdependence and Mutual Commitent", which is tressed, from the outset, already at he 1st § of the 2012 Resolution, spreading from Economy and Growth, Regional Stability and Energy Security, up to "potential Synergies" even "in Foreign and Security Policy", as well as "Neighbourhood Policy".

    The only Conditions for such "Interdependence" relations to "produce Positive Results", is to be "Framed in ... Mutual Commitment, Strategic Dialogue and effective Cooperation, successful delivery in the Reforms" and their "implementation", as well as in "Good Relations between Turkey and Neighbouring Member States", the 2012 New Text explains.

-------------------------------

Copenhagen Criteria :
 + Full Recognition of all Ethnic/Religious Communities (+Mother Tongues)
---------------------------------                            
    + On the Contrary, "the Basis for (any) Accession to the EU", "remain", Moreover, "Full Compliance with All Copenhagen Criteria, and (moreover) EU Intergration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the 12/2006" Summit of the EU, "which is a Community based on shared Values, sincere Cooperation and mutual Solidarity between All its Member States", without any Discrimination at all, adds, reminding more main Conditions for this, Differend process, 2012 EU Parliament's Resolution, (considerant C).
--------------------------------
    >>> In this regard, a New Strong Emphasis was given, for the 1st time in a so crystal-clear way, by a Majority of MEPs who voted Today to adopt an Important Amendment asking on 2012  from the Turkish Government to "Allow... for the FULL RECOGNITION OF all ETHNIC and Religious COMMUNITIES", among the Numerous Minorities existing inside Turkey, (which notoriously is a remnant of the former Ottoman Empire, whose dissolution and transformation into Modern, National and Democratic States had been artificially stopped back on 1922).

    + This must "include the protection of Mother-Tongue, Language Rights", f.ex. "in the new .. Constitution" (that Turkey prepares since a long time, and is expected to be ready soon), according also to another, relevant Amendment, adopted today with a clear Majority of about 330 Votes, (vainly fought against by the Turkish lobby)...

    Despite a stubborn Opposal from a Turkish lobby which apparently managed this time to Block another Amendment (unfortunately without registering by EU Parliament's services the precise Number of Votes..), nevertheless, a Suprisingly Great Number of almost 200 MEPs, from various Countries and Political Groups, expressed their Support to an addition which Explicitly citted the Names of the most Important "Ethnic Communities" in Turkey, "including Kurds, Laz, Cerkes, Roma (the Biggest Number, even more than in Romania, according to CoE's recent Findings !), Alevi, Syrians, Arabs, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and others, (who co-exist, since 1922) alongside the Turkish majority", (according to the Official Text which circulated in EU Parliament).

    ++ Moreover, the Initial Text of these Amendments included also an explicit call on "Turkey" for "a process of Decentralisation and meaningful Local Government, in order to meet the Demands of the Diverse Segments of its Population", as it pointed out.

    It's interesting to note that, in an unprecedented move, all these Texts, (even those which were finally blocked by a Turkish lobby : Comp. Supra), had been tabled as Amendments by a Strong Group of more than "40 MEPs" from various EU Countries and almost All Political Groups, F.ex. : Zoltan Bago (EPP/ChristianDemocrats from Hungary),  Ian Hudghton (from the UK "Scottish" party), Margrete Auken (Greens, from EU chairman Denmark), Liisa Jaakonsaari (Socialist, from Finland), Helene Flautre (Greens, from France),  Gianni Vattimo (Liberal, from Italy), Ana
Miranda (Greens/ALE, from Spain), Antigoni Papadopoulou (Socialist, from Cyprus), Hannu Takkula (Liberal, from Finland), Gabriele Zimmer (Left, from Germany), and many Other MEPs.
    
    - In addition, during yesterday's (Wednesday's)  Debates, Spanish "Green" MEP Ana Miranda raised a Question about "what is Turkey doing in order to use the (current)Constitutional Drafting process as a chance for developing a Moral and Democratic identity" by "allowing for the full recognition of all ethnic groups including Kurds, Laz, Gypsies, Roma, Alevis, Syriacs, Arabs, Greeks, Armenians, Jews and others", and for  "a process of Decentralisation and meaningful Local government in order to meet the demands of the Diverse Segments of its Population ?"

    + A Majority in EU Parliament adopted later a Critical observation, in this regard, expressing "Concern at ..the Arrest of several Kurdish politicians, Locally Elected Mayors and members of Municipal councils", throwing, reportedly, more than 2.000 People in the Turkish Prisons, since the immediate aftermath of the 2009 Local Elections...A Fact which has led CoE to strongly denounce, on March 2011, the "Destructive" effects of such massive Oppression by Turkey "against Local and Regional Democracy", (See "EuroFora"s relevant 3/2011 NewsReport).

    >>> Moreover, EU Parliament's Resolution, adopted by an overwhelmig Majority of MEPs, clearly stresses "the Importance of a Reform" in Turkey in order to "Lower..  the 10% minimum Threshold (Nationwide) for representation in Parliament, which is the Highest threshold in any of the CoE member countries, and canNot adequately reflect the Pluralism of Turkish society", since it notoriously Excludes from the Right to have Any Representative at all in Parliament even Political Parties which Win more than .. 50%, 60% or even 70% of Votes in certain Regions ! (as, f.ex. in the Kurdish areas, etc). Something which has been already Denounced, earlier, also by CoE's Assembly in Strasbourg.

    + In addition, the 2012 Resolution also "Urges the Government of Turkey to pay special attention to Educational Materials in schools, which should reflect Ethnic and Religious Plurality and plurality of beliefs in Turkish society, eliminate Discrimination and prejudice, and promote the full acceptance of All Religious Communities and Minorities".

    Significantly, EU Parliament decided to put the initially mentioned, Politically Crucial point, at the 1st place of a long list, under the Heading on Turkey's obligation to "Fulfill the Copenhagen Criteria" (Article 4 of the Resolution adopted Today)..
----------------------------------------------------------

    Meanwhile, EU Parliament's 2012 Resolution on Turkey's stance vis a vis EU standards, contains many more Critical points, which obviously concern the on-going controversy about Ankara's unpopular EU bid.

Indeed, the Final, Official EU Text, also :

- "Expresses...  Concern about ongoing Trials and long pre-trial Detention periods affecting Members of the Turkish grand National Assembly, (i.e. Elected MPs !), and (even) about the judicial probe launched to Lift parliamentary Immunity of Mr Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Main opposition Party" !

=> "Democracy and Freedom of Expression are Not guaranteed", "where Members of Parliament have to fulfill their duties under the Threat of Prosecution", MEPs "stressed". (Article 9 of the adopted Resolution).

- is obliged to "call for the (Turkish) Gendarmerie ... to be brought under Civilian Jurisdiction and ...under the scrutiny of the Ombudsman".

- "Regrets ... the Growing Number of New Applications (often against serious Violations of Human Rights) to the European Court H.R." in Strasbourg, even on 2012.

- "Expresses Concern at the Latest Verdict rendered on the (Murdered Armenian Journalist) Hrant Dink case", (which practicaly whitewashed all the Turkish establishment from any Responsiblity regarding the Murder, despite various obvious Complicities, while even the Turkish Policemen photographed Laughing with the Killer and Saluting in front of a Turkish Flag, were reportedly .. Promoted !) ; stresses the vital importance of a full Investigation into the Murder of Hrant Dink and of bringing All persons Responsible to Justice, and underlines in this context the judgment of ECHR in 2010, which ruled that Turkey had Failed to conduct Effective Investigations into the murder of Hrant Dink (See "EuroFora"s relevant, October 2010 NewsReport); considers this trial to be a Test for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Turkey".
-------------------------------------
+ 2.500 Jailed Children in today's Turkey, and New Scandal of Helpless Imprisoned Children TORTURED and even RAPED , with reportedly Impunity of Torturers !
--------------------------------------
- "Reiterates its Concern that Judicial Procedures have still Not been sufficiently improved ....to ensure the right to a Fair ... Trial", (even ... more than 18 Years of CoE's Monitoring on Turkey's Legal tools, and more a Decade after the controversial and unpopular decision to give to Ankara an EU "Candidate" status)..

+ In particular, EU Parliament expesses "Serious Concern at the excessively Long periods of Pre-trial Detention, which can currently go up to 10 YEARS (in JAIL) ... WITHOUT a TRIAL" !

- EU is also "ALARMED by the High NUMBER of Juvenile PRISONERS – 2 500  (sic !)– in the 12-18 Age group, (i.e. mostly CHILDREN).

On this, obviously "core" Issue for Human Rights and elementary Respect of basic Human Dignity : Grave ill-Treatement of Helpless, Jailed Children, a particularly Strong Group of more than ...202 MEPs (with 11 Abstentions), voted for Amendments which denounced also the "Conditions of Detention of Children" in Turkish Prisons, "as Revealed by the Pozanti SCANDAL, which are (even) contrary to Articles 19, 34, 37, and 39 of the UNO Convention on the Rights of the Child", as well as "the MISTREATMENT that these IMPRISONED CHILDREN often face, as Recently revealed in the Case of Pozenti Prison in Adana", (according to "Green" and "EuroLeft" MEPs, whose amendments were Supported also by many Other Groups' MEPs, from the Center and the Right, f.ex. Liberals, ChristianDemocrats, etc).

Even if, finally, the Switch towards the "No" vote by Less then 1 out of 7 MEPs (112 out of 755), (probably Unaware of all main, pertinent Facts, f.ex. Mechanically following all "Yes" or "No" notes in the usual piece of Paper copied by their Group's Secretariat and recommending them to just press button A or B, in a few Seconds, during Noon's Votes where all MEPs are Massively Obliged to participate if they want to be .. paid their allowances, before Lunch..), curiously Blocked both these 2 Amendments, nevertheless, by being Published among EU Parliament's official Documents, they served to Alert any sincerely interested Person, (Journalists, NGOs, Politicians, EU officials, etc), about that Recently Revealed odious Scandal of TORTURE and brutal RAPE atrociously committed, reportedly, by Turkish State Security Agents against HELPLESS CHILDREN, JAILED in a Turkish Prison, (whose Directors, instead of being Punished, on the contrary... continue to Rule over the Victims, even  transferred at another Jail, after the Scandal went, at last, public !  See, f.ex. :  http://www.theglobetimes.com/2012/03/09/the-kids-of-pozanti-prison-following-the-end/ , http://www.theglobetimes.com/2012/03/11/thousands-of-pozanti-prisons-in-turkey/ , etc.)

The point is that Turkey had been, notoriously, already shaken, in the Past, by another such gross Scandal of Torture and Rape committed by Turkish State Agents against Helpless Jailed Children (boys and girls), which had been arrested and imprisoned merely because someone had accused them to simply ...place a Poster on a Wall !

But, then, it was a Long Time Ago, during the Early 1990ies, when Turkey hadn't yet been given any "EU Candidate" Status, Neither received any Money from the EU, (since all EU Funds earmarked for Turkey had been notoriously Blocked by EU Parliament, then, precisely because of persisting, serious Human Rights Violations, refusal to even admit the Armenian Genocide, threats against Greece, Military Occupation of part of Cyprus, etc) : I.e. in the famous "Maniza Children" case, where CoE refused to give any "Green Light" to the EU concerning Turkey's behavior vis a vis Human Rights and Rule of Law, until the Victmized Children were set Free, and at least some among the Monstruous Torturers, found and punished...

On the contrary, Now, see again such Serious Scandals as Torture and Rape of Jailed Children by Turkish State's Agents, many reportedly left Unpunished, while their Victims were still kept ImPrisoned,  (i.e. even WORSE than what had happened in the Past !) , even after more than a Decade of EU "Candidate" Status, added to Lucrative "Accession" and/or "Open-ended Negotiations" with the EU, representing more than 850 Millions € paid by EU Taxpayers Money each Year to the Turkish Government, participation in EU programs, "Visas" for officials, etc. (perhaps even ... to Childrens' Torturers themselves, Dangerously free to move as Tourists or Turkish "Experts" among EU Citizens' own Children inside EU's core, thanks to laxist "Visas" !), is, Today, obviously a Gross Scandal, this time, ... affecting those who persist to claim that, by continuing even more EU - Turkey so-called "Accession" Negotiations, this would Magically "Change" the Turkish regime into an acceptable Democracy, respectfull of elementary Human Dignity, despite all these Blatant (and DANGEROUS) Failures !...

>>> On TORTURE and Inhuman/Degrading Treatments, in General (i.e. also on Adult Victims), today in Turkey, EU Parliament's Resolution also "expresses Concern regarding CONTINUING reports of Torture and ill-Treatment in (Turkish) Police stations and in Prisons, the Excessive use of force by Police officers during Demonstrations, and the Lack of progress in bringing State Officials to justice for alleged human rights Abuses", (i.e. for scandalous Impunity of Torturers : Article 19).

=> To put it in a nutshell, .. any Experienced Human Rights Observer in the European and PanEuropean Institutions, would feel, on 2012,  thrown .. Back to more than 20 Years in the Past, as if Nothing really Important Changed in Turkey, except... from having started to put more than 850 Millions € of EU Tasxpayers' Money, in full Grants,  each year, in its pockets !... (comp. Supra)
------------------------
+ Furthermore, the adopted 2012 EU Parliament's Resolution, also :

- "Reiterates its Concern about the practice of bringing criminal Prosecutions against Human rights Defenders, activists and Journalists who communicate Evidence of human rights Violations, or Raise other Issues in the public interest as a contribution to the debate of a pluralistic society"

 -  Denounces the "Criminalisation of Opinions as a key Obstacle to the full protection of Human rights in Turkey".

+ "Regrets ....the Number of Cases currently opened against Journalists", as well as "the Lack of exact figures on the Number of journalists Detained"

- "Is Deeply Concerned about the conditions under which the Detained Journalists are held".
--------------------
- "Deplores the Disproportionate Restriction of the Freedoms of Expression, Association and Assembly" in nowadays Turkey.

In particular, EU Parliament :

*"Regrets that a number of legal provisions" in Turkey, still "continue to Limit Freedom of Expression; [such as Articles 301 and 318, Article 220(6) in combination with Article 314(2) and Articles 285 and 288 of the Penal Code as well as Articles 6 and 7(2) of the Anti-Terror Law]"
*"Underlines (that) measures should be taken as a matter of utmost Urgency to Abolish legislation providing for Disproportionately High Fines on the Media – leading in some cases to their Closure or to self-Censorship by journalists or their editors"
*and to Reform Law 5651/2007 on the Internet, which Limits freedom of expression, restricts citizens’ right of Access to information, and allows Website Bans of disproportionate scope and duration'
---------------------------------
Pro-Turkish Government "ZAMAN" Newspaper's  Exploitation of Deadly Terrorism in France in order to push Ankara's EU bid, covered up ?
------------------------------------
However,  in a last-minute Amendment, an undetermined number of MEPs were pushed to, curiously, ... Cover up (even if most of them, probably didn't even knew what had really happened in that case !) a Scandalous and Dangerous almost Apology of the Monstruous, Deadly Terrorism which just Massacrated 3 young Children and their Father, after also killing 3 unarmed Soldiers in France, which were odiously Exploited by the pro-Government Turkish Newspaper "ZAMAN" in order to Press for ...Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, by launching Personal Attacks against French President Sarkozy, (accusing him to "block" Ankara's EU entry, etc), with Gross Insults against also France and all Europe, (called "Fascist", etc+), Threatening even Worse in the Future, if they dared speak out on Europe's "Civilisation", "Values", "Culture" or "Identity", etc... (Comp. + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/toulousechildrenmassacreandeurope.html )

=> Paradoxically, indeed,  instead of Condemning and asking to punish such a hideous almost Apology of -and,at any case, blatant attempt to Exploit the -Deadly, Monstruous Terrorism, by the pro-Government Turkish Newspaper Zaman, on the contrary, an undetermined Number of MEPs were suddenly pushed, (apparently Manipulated by a sly network, under Pretext of some Other, Unrelated and less important Events, which had already occured a Long Time Ago, in the Past..), to ask Measures which may be abused in order to ...spy, harass or even prosecute those who dare denounce that Scandal !

Indeed, some Liberal MEPs were pushed to table an Amendment "condemning (on the contrary)attacks" ... against ZAMAN, as they curiously found more Timely to claim now, (this initial Wording was later Changed in "Turkish Newspapers" in general, while acknowledging that, in fact, it always concerned, in real practice, only "Zaman"), under Pretext that its "European Offices" (in opposition to its .. "Turkish Offices"..) would have, reportedly, been "aggressed" in some EU Cities, by unknown yet people.

In consequence, they asked for an "Investigation"... not against, but, ... in favour of "ZAMAN", thereby, scandalously risking even to provoke ... Spying over those who know and dare denounce "Zaman"s recently Unacceptable, odious attempt to  Exploit the Deadly Terrorism just committed against even innocent Children (Comp. supra), in order to push France and all Europe (otherwise grossly Insulted, Slandered, and even Threatened !) to accept Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid...
The precise "Timing" and "Targetting" of that Manoeuver is so blatantly Obvious, that it's probably the 1st time that EU Parliament was, in fact, so grossly Manipulated, mainly by a Foreign Lobby,  in its long History !
-------------------------------------------------
EU's 2012 Resolution on Turkey, moreover :

- " Is Concerned (on 2012) about the Wide Margin of Interpretation, and application, allowed by the (Turkish) Anti-Terror Law and the Criminal Code", and, therefore, "Urges Turkey to Review the Anti-Terror Law as a matter of Priority".
(NDLR : .. i.e. as if we had Returned back to .. 1995, when CoE and ECHR were denouncing exactly the same grave Dangers for Personal Liberty in Turkey -which promissed, and later did, various Pseudo-"Changes" on Paper-, ... but without endangering EU edification, neiher paying Ankara not even a dime : Comp. Supra)...

- But, in fact, as Polish ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Jaroslaw Lech Walesa warned during yesterday's Debates, "even the best formulated Regulations do Not Ensure justice and respect for human rights", unless "Turkey Changes its approach" on the "Counter-Terrorism Act" which "has a great impact on freedom of expression of journalists", since, "pursuant to Art. 6 and 7 of this Act, it's sufficient that a journalist publishes information about Kurdish demonstrations in order to be taken to Prison !". "The Arrests are a Reality", Walesa warned, refering to "Journalists who are arrested on various Pretexts, such as the Anti-Terrorism Law, for alleged dissemination of ideas and propaganda of terrorist organizations, but in fact, because of their work, when it's uncomfortable for Ankara's Authorities"...
-----------------------

-  "Asks Turkey to ensure that Lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without Intimidation, Hindrance, Harassment or improper Interference", (Article 16)

- Expresses "Concern (for) the Non-Implementation (6 Years later !) of the 2006 Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Ulke v. Turkey requiring ...to prevent the repeated prosecution of conscientious objectors for their refusal to perform military service".

- "Underlines the Need for ...general measures against Corruption" in Turkey.
 
- "Recalls..(sic !)  the Urgent Need to continue vital and substantial reform in the area of Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion, in particular by enabling religious communities to obtain legal Personality, by eliminating all Restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of clergy, by recognising Alevi places of worships and by complying with the relevant judgments of the ECHR, ... and the need to fully recognise the Rights of all Religious communities; calls on the Government of Turkey to ensure that the Saint Gabriel Monastery, founded in 397 AD (!), is not Deprived of its Lands".
---------------------------------------------------------
Particularly on the KURDISH ISSUE, EU Parliament's 2012 Resolution, furthermore :

- "Calls on Turkey to demonstrate resilience, and intensify its efforts towards a Political Solution to the Kurdish issue, and asks all political forces to work in alliance towards the goal of reinforced Political Dialogue", "underlines the importance of promoting Discussion of the Kurdish issue withIn the democratic institutions, particularly the TGNAssebly", and, therefore, "calls on the Government of Turkey to create the Peaceful Basis for political Figures of Kurdish origin to have a free and pluralistic Debate".

- But, on the Contarry, for the time being, EU Parliament  "expresses Concern at the large number of cases launched against writers and journalists writing on the Kurdish issue, and the Arrest of several Kurdish Politicians, locally Elected mayors and members of municipal councils, Lawyers, Protestors and Human rights Defenders" ...

- However, at the same time, EU Parliament "Reiterates its firm and strong Condemnation of the continuing terrorist violence by the PKK, which is on the EU list of terrorist organisations" since several years ago.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Economic EU - Turkey relations :
Outsourcing problem + Social/Environmental Dumping + "Barriers to Trade"...
------------------------------------
    A serious Problem of Outsourcing from the EU to Turkey, (and, in consequence, provoking aggravated Unemployment inside the EU), obviously appears, however, on EU - Turkey Economic Relations, when the 2012 EU Parliament's Resolution observes the Fact that "80% of Foreign Direct Investment in Turkey (is) coming from the EU", and "EU enterprises have created more than 13 000 Businesses in Turkey"...

    + Moreover, since "Turkey’s per Capita GDP remains Low compared to most (EU) Member States", "a relatively low per capita GDP in a large candidate country, creates particular Challenges, in the areas of economic and social convergence with current (EU) Member States", (f.ex. fears of possible "Social Dumping" in External Trade, massive Immigration, etc),  whereas Economic Growth should also Respect the principle of Environmental sustainability", (i.e. avoid "Environmental Dumping"), EU Parliament's 2012 Resolution warns, (in its considerant H).

    - In this regard, 2012 EU Resolution "stresses the Urgent Need to bring the (Turkish) ...Labour and Trade Union Rights into line with EU Standards, CoE instruments and ILO conventions, and to apply them fully in practice, as the removal of all Obstacles to the full exercise of such rights".

    - But, Meanwhile, EU Parliament "expresses its Concern at the practice of bringing criminal Prosecutions against Trade Unionists, ...., who are active in seeking better working, educational and living conditions and who report human rights violations"

    - EU  is even "Concerned about the disproportionally High Poverty rate among Children", and "Calls on Turkey to develop a comprehensive strategy to Combat child poverty and CHILD LABOUR", (Article 31).

    + At another relevant development, concerning also Unemployment inside Europe, EU Parliament's 2012 Resolution also denounces "the Large percentage of illegal Immigrants entering EU territory via Turkey", (Comp. supra).

    >>> Even more important : Even more than 15 Years later, "Turkey is Not implementing the Customs Union (which exists since Jan. 1996 !) fully" , EU Parliament denounces.

    Indeed, Ankara "maintains legislation that Violates its Commitments on removing technical Barriers to Trade", MEPs found, (citting various concrete examples, "such as import licences, restrictions on imports of goods from 3rd countries in free circulation in the EU, State aid, enforcement of intellectual property rights, requirements for the registration of new pharmaceutical products and Discriminatory tax treatment").
---------------------
    Moreover, EU's 2012 Resolution on Turkey "stresses ... the Need to preserve the NATURAL... Heritage, in full compliance with Europen standards", as it says on the occasion of a Power Plant :

    - EU Parliament, indeed, "encourages the Government of Turkey to properly examine the Risk and Liability regarding current Nuclear Power plant Projects, such as the one in Akkuyu"; (i.e. 50 km from EU Member Cyprus !), "stressing, in this regard, the Need to preserve the Natural, Cultural and Archaeological Heritage, in full compliance with European standards".

    However, an undetermined number of MEPs, curiously voted down an Amendment of the "Green" Group which simply reminded the Fact that Turkey's project at Akuyu, is notoriously based on an "EarthQuake" prone Fault line, at Anatolia Plateau's Southern SeaCoasts, (where many Earthquakes are often noted), and that, therefore, particularly after the recent, gros Tragic Disaster in Japan's "Fukushima" Nuclear Plant, (affected by a Giant Wave, triggered by an underSea Earthquake), Turkey should think twice before taking the Risk to put a Nuclear Plant in such a Risky place...
------------------------------------
On European/ International issues :
---------------------------------------------
    Here, obviously, the Cyprus' issue, (which actually is at a critical juncture), plays a crucial role on Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, but it's not the only factor, its Historic origins at Turkey's brutal revendications in the Aegean Sea remaining, unfortunately, always a cause of persisting (even if recently, partly reduced) Tension at EU's External Borders, (near to forthcoming Oil/Gaz Findings) :
----------------------------
    - Indeed, EU Parliament's 2012 Resolution clearly "Urges the Government of Turkey to End the Repeated Violation of Greek airspace, and Turkish Military aircraft flights over Greek islands" at the Aegean Sea, (Comp. also Supra).

    + Moreover, it "considers ..Regrettable, .. that the "Casus Belli" Threat declared by the Turkish ... Assembly against Greece has Not yet been Withdrawn", despite the fact that, during more than a Decade now (particularly since 1999), "the improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries Should lead to the Withdrawal of this Threat", as MEPs clearly "believe".
----------------------------------
    - Concerning both EU Member Countries, Greece and Cyprus, as well as Peaceful Neighbouring relations and Regional Stability in general,as well as Europe's Global Strategy,  EU Parliament clearly "Calls ..on the Government of Turkey to sign and ratify" "the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)", "without further delay".

    The 2012 EU Resolution "Emphasises", in this regard, the fact  "that ...UNCLOS has been signed by the EU, the 27 Member States, and All Other Candidate Countries (with the Only Exception of Turkey...), and that it is part of the Acquis Communautaire".
----------------------------------
    On Cyprus, EU Parliament's 2012 Resolution, particularly :
-----------------------------------------------
    - "Recalls the Full Legitimacy of the Republic of Cyprus’ exclusive Economic Zone, in accordance with UNCLOS" Treaty (Comp. Supra), as far as recent Oil/Gas findings are concerned, and, therefore, indirectly but surely, slams Turkey's threats against EU Member Cyprus' peaceful exploration of Energy Resources inside its "EEZ", (which is also EU territory).
---------------------------
    - Denounces the fact that "Turkey has still Not implemented, for the 6th consecutive Year, the provisions stemming from ...EC-Turkey Association", (i.e. has Not yet lifted the Discrimination Hindering all Airplanes and Ships crossing EU Member Cyprus, to pass also from Turkey's Airports/Seaports), contrary to the Commitment that Ankara had undertaken since 2004/2005 in order to Start the initially, so-called "Accession Negotiations".

 (Something that many MEPs, including, f.ex. the experienced former EU Parliament's President, German ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Hans Gert Poettering, have already stressed earlier to "EuroFora" that it should be considered as a Legal and Political cause for a possible Suspension or even Stop of Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU Accession Negotiations, since they were opened, precisely, under Condition that Ankara would respect this Commitment, but it didn't)...

    => In consequence, an overwhelming Majority of MEPs, with 576 Votes in favour, against only 49, and 24 Abstentions, strongly "Deplored Turkey’s Refusal to fulfil its Obligation of full, Non-Discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement towards all Member States", including Cyprus, and all other Countries' Airplanes and Ships which visited Cyprus.

    - Thus, EU Parliament's Resolution "recalls that this  (Turkey's) refusal continues to deeply Affect the process of Negotiations (f.ex. by "Freezing" 7 Chapters, according to EU Council's December 2006 collective Decision), and calls on the Government of Turkey to implement the protocol in full, without further delay".
--------------------------------------
    + Moreover, the 2012 EU Resolution, topically "Regrets Turkey’s statements that it will Freeze relations with the Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2012, (July- December 2012) if a solution to the Cyprus issue is not found by then".

    EU Parliament "recalls that ...as a Candidate country, Turkey must Commit to Serene relations with the EU and All its Member States", including Cyprus, as well as the fact  that  EU Council's rotating "Presidency  is provided for in the EU Treaty" itself. In other words, a contrary behavior by Turkey would be incompatible with its "Candidate" status, and, thus, might compromise it, (Comp. Supra)..
------------------------------------
- "Calls on the Government of Turkey to Begin Withdrawing its (Military Occupation) Forces from Cyprus", northern territories, that Ankara troops have invaded and still occupy since 1974, i.e. for some 36 Years...

 - "Calls on Turkey, and all the parties concerned, to work intensively and with good will for a comprehensive agreement", through "the ongoing negotiations on the reUnification of Cyprus under the auspices of UNO's SG", Ban Ki Moon, that EU "strongly supports", "stressing", once again, that, "as a matter of urgency", "the Cyprus issue must now ..reach" "a Fair and Viable settlement". (Cyprus' MEPs, as always, preferred for the EU Text to add also the usual reference for a Solution "based on UN SC Resolutions", as well as "on the Principles on which EU is founded", i.e. mainly Human Rights, but they, nevertheless, Voted also in favor of the above mentioned, shorter version, probably because they were mainly motivated by their interest aloso for the following 2012 "Novelty" in EU Parliament's draft) :
--------------------
+ FAMAGUSTA 2012 Novelty
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+ Moreover, advancing for the 1st time furher, the 2012 EU Parliament's Resolution also "calls on Turkey ... to Transfert Famagusta (the famous "Ghost Town", emptied from all its lawful inhabitants, transformed into Refugees/Displaced persons, and one of the Historic and most important SeaPorts), to the UNO, in accordance with Resolution 550 (1984) of the UN Security Council", (i.e., normally, with the Return of Greek Cypriot Refugees, "lawful inhabitants" of Famagusta's currently Empty area, since this is included and prescribed, precisely, by that UNSC Resolution).

Even if the Ommission, in this EU text, of an Explicit reference to Greek Cypriot Refugees' Right to Return to their Homes and Properties in Famagusta, initially raised some Questions among Cyprus' MEPs, (who naturally prefered to state that clearly in the EU text), nevertheless, EU Parliament's reference to that precise UNSC Resolution "550 (1984)", was finally considered as normally sufficient, because Famagusta Refugees' return is precisely included inside that UNSC Resolution.

=> Therefore, this New, 2012 point on Occupied Famahusta's transfert to the UNO, was adopted by EU Parliament today with a quasi-Unanimous Vote of 6OO MEPs in favour, against only 27, and 18 Abstentions !
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+ The adopted EU text goes even futher, and adds, "in parallel", also a "call .. on the Republic of Cyprus, to Open the (Sea)Port of Famagusta, under EU customs supervision, ...  and allow Turkish Cypriots to Trade Directly" with Foreign Countries.

Such a Concession to the Turkish side had already been proposed, initially by former Cyprus' President Tassos Papadopoulos, and endorsed even by former EU Chairman, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, together with his Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, as early as since 2005, but Turkey had then refused to accept the Deal, (Comp. Juncker's and Asselborn's statements to "EuroFora"s co-Founder then, published elsewhere). However, a similar proposal was also made recently by the current President of Cyprus, Demetres Christofias.

However, both Cyprus' initial proposals, added not only an explicit reference to Greek Cypriot Refugees' right to Return, but also that they should be able to do so in conditions of "Freedom and Safety", (i.e. clearly without any Turkish Army or "Police" interference, all control having been passed over to the UN), and "under EU auspices", strengthening the role of EU Law and Institutions, as well as that the "Direct Trade" with Foreign Countries, by Opening Famagusta's Seaport, would be done by BOTH Turkish and Greek Cypriots, together, in order to incite them to cooperate, thereby facilitating Cyprus' reUnification.

That's why, on this 2nd point, Cyprus' MEPs prefered to vote Against the above mentioned Version, which, indeed, even if it was finally adopted by a clear Majority, nevertheless, met an obviously Stronger Opposition than the previous, 1st point, with 59 MEPs voting against, and 27 abstaining, (i.e. with about 40 Votes Less than the 1st point), since they were followed not only from Greece's MEPs, but also by various other Countries and Politcial Groups' MEPs, (as, f.ex., Spanish EPP/ChristianDemocrat Carlos José ITURGAIZ ANGULO, of the New Governing Majority, Portuguese MEP Regina Bastos, also of the New Governing Majority, etc, several other EuroLeft, EFD, NI, and Liberal MEPs, etc).

Moreover, Socialist MEP from Cyprus, Antigoni Papadopoulou warned, in this regard, that "Turkey is already preparing for illegal Settlements in Famagusta's fenced area" : "What shall EU do, in such a case : Will it accept a blatant Violation of UN Security Council Resolutions ?", the MEP wondered.

ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP from Cyprus, former Minister, Helen Theocharous, earlier Warned that Turkey, in fact, instead of complying with UN SC Resolutions, on the contrary, "calls Famagusta's Lawful Inhabitants to return (only) as "Citizens" of the illegal (Turkish) Occupation regime"; ("shelf-styled Statelet"), as she said.

However, despite their obious preference for a Better Wording (comp. Supra), they didn't really engage a Fight against the finally adopted version of EU Parliament's text, since, in fact, it already contained most among their desiderata, and, apparently, seems rather carefully worded, so that it might, eventually leave room for subsequent ameliorations during its concrete application....

Indeed, EU Parliament's adopted text also makes it clear that the sole purpose for such a move is "to promote a positive Climate for the successful solution of the ongoing reUnification negotiations", and that this must be done "in a Legal manner", which should, moreover, be also "Acceptable to all" those involved, (i.e. leaving Room both for Legal Principles, and for a political Agreement, without apparently imposing anything).
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+ Meanwhile, a Great Number of 233 MEPs from various EU Countries and Political Groups, Voted in favour of an Amendment which expressed "deep Concern about the Demolition, desecration and conversion of Churches, monasteries and chapels in the northern (Occupied) part of Cyprus, and recall(ed) that since the Turkish occupation the entire occupied area has been the scene of clandestine, illegal digging of Ancient sites, settlements and cemeteries". In consequence, that Text  "Firmly remind(ed) Turkey of its obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict".

Even if, finally, the U-turn of a comparatively Small Number of MEPs : only about 80, gave a Majority to those who Opposed and voted Against that Amendment, (with More than 350 Votes+), nevertheless, neither the EU nor Turkey could totally ignore this Growing Criticism by more and more MEPs, particularly on such an important point also for EU's own History, Culture and Identity, (as well as Values).
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However, EU Parliament's 2012 finaly adopted Resolution also :

- "Encourages Turkey to intensify its support for the Committee on MISSING Persons in Cyprus", where Families of the Victims still vainly ask "Efficient Investigations", according to ECHR's case-law, (which notoriously asks to "find out what really happened to the MISSING People, search, find and punish those Responsible for their Enforced Disappearance"), including for Ankara to Open its Military Archives and Areas for relevant Enquiries, particularly when they concern previously Detained Persons, etc. EU Parliament's recently appointed New Rapporteur, Maltese EPP/ChristianDemocrat MEP Busuttil, has just started working on this core Human Rights' issue.
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+ "Calls on Turkey to Refrain from any new Settlement of Turkish Citizens on Cyprus, as this would continue to Change the Demographic balance, and reduce the allegiance of its citizens on the island to a Future Common state, based on its Common Past".
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  + EU Parliament also "renews its call on the Government of Turkey to sign and submit for ratification the Statute of the International Criminal Court", where Ankara is one of the Few to still be Afraid to do so...

    ...Most probably because Turkey might risk to be condemned for "War Crimes", f.ex. in Cyprus, since ICC's Statute explicitly considers as "War Crime", also the Systematic, massive influx of Citizens from an Occupying State, in the Territories of anOther, Independent Country, controlled by its Army, when they are "Replacing" the original Population of the Invaded Area, earlier Forced to flee by the Invading Army, also Usurpating Refugees' Family Homes and Private Properties, while also Hindering them to restore their Houses and Properties, and obstructing them from ever returning to their Ancestral Land.

    I.e. in cases of organized "Ethnic Cleansing", precisely as Turkey is notoriously doing  in the Occupied Territories of Cyprus, since 1974, with Thousands of Turkish Setlers from Anatolia being massively imported, while 200.000 Greek Cypriot Refugees have been obliged to flee Ankara's invasion and Occupation Army, which still Hinders their Return to their Ancestral Land, and Blocks the Restoration of their Homes and Properties, as a CoE Assembly's Report, drafted by the former President of EuroLeft Grroup, MEP from Finland, Yaako Laakso, adopted since 2003 in Strasbourg, (under the locacious Heading : "Colonisation by Turkish settlers of the occupied part of Cyprus")...
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- "In fact, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's aim is to obtain 1 Million (mostly illegal Turkish) Settlers", in the Occupied Territories of Cyprus, "so that any Solution for the ReUnification of the island becomes Impossible", warned, in this regard, fomer Minister, SocialDemocrat MEP from Cyprus, Kyriakos Mavronicolas. Meanwhile, "they still keep Famagusta ciy as a Ghost Town without returning it back to its lawful inhabitants, they keep Nicosia Divided, and some 50.000 Turkish Mlitary Troops in front of a Turkish Cypriot Community of just 100.000 persons, after 40 Years of (UN sponsored, interCommunal) Talks for the Solution of Cyprus' issue, while even the last round of 3 years latest talks has just been completed, without anything being achieved concerning any effort by Turkey for a solution", he also denounced.

    - Speaking earlier on behalf of the European Left Group, pro-Government Cyprus' MEP Takis Hadjigeorgiou, a former Media Director, observed that about "100 Thousands of Turkish Cypriots face more than 40 Thousands Turkish Soldiers, i.e. one Soldier out of each Home", and "are obliged to live surrounded by some 500 Thousands of Turks" (most illegal Colonists from Anatolia, massively imported by Ankara in the Occupied Territories of Cyprus, still controlled by the Turkish Army since the 1974 Military Invasion).

    => In consequence, "how is it possible, for that Community (of real Turkish Cypriots) to have its own, independent Will on the developments of Cyprus' issue ? In fact, the Turkish Cypriot Community is bound (held hostage) by (the Foreign, Ankara's Military) Occupation", he denounced. If those who claim to revendicate more Rights for the Turkish Cypriot Communiy were sincere, why, then, they don't do equally so also for the much more than 10 Millions' strong Kurdish Community inside Turkey ?", the MEP questioned.
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    Last but not least : Related with the Cyprus' issue is also a reference made by EU Parliament's Resolution's  §2  to EU Commission's so-called "Positive Agenda" for Turkey, where several MEPs strongly contested an ambiguous mention of EU Commissioner Fuhler's wish to "Open" soon for EU - Turkey Negotiations  "2 Chapters" which are, until now, Closed by EU Council's decision since December 2009, because of Turkey's persisting Refusal (during more than 4 Years) to comply with EU's collective demand of 21 September 2005, in response to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's scandalously provocative, negative Statements, refusing even to Recognize the Legal Existence of EU Member Cyprus, officially sent, after a visit in London, to the Brittish then Presidency of EU Council, on July 29, 2005, (comp. "EuroFora" co-Founder's NewsReports and Publication from various relevant Events in London then, and afterwards from related developments inside UNO's Headquarters in New York, on September 2005). In reaction, EU Council had initially decided, back on 2006, to give Turkey Time until December 2009, in order to comply with its obligations, but Ankara never did...

=> Opposed and/or Worried MEPs, warning of a Risk to undermine EU Council's decisions on Sanctions to Turkey for extended Refusals to respect its Commitments/Obligations vis a vis the EU, (perhaps 1st in this, and afterwards also on other similar occasions.. ) spread accross the Political Spectrum inside EU Parliamet :

Thus, f.ex. mainstream EPP/ChristianDemocrat MEP, former Minister, Helen Theoharous from Cyprus, denounced the fact that the insertion of such a reference, didn't  clearly mention Turkey's obligations, while Socialist MEP Antigoni Papadopoulou-Pericleous was even more critical on this point.

However, EU Parliament's final version Carefully says that this is just a "View" taken by the authors of that Resolution, and also adds that "EFFORTS should be invested in CREATING CONDITIONS for the Opening" of those Chapters, and, as it's well known, among those "Conditions" precisely is also the fullfilment of the above mentioned Turkey's obligations...
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- At any case, it's also a fact that "Turkey replies to the "Positive Agenda" (of EU Commission) and all positive messages" sent by the EU, by "launching Threats against the Republic of Cyprus, (and) by pushing the (UN-sponsored, intercommunal) Talks (for the Solution of Cyprus' issue) towards a Deadlock",..."instead of implementing UNO SC's Resolutions" on this issue, denounced mainstream Cyprus' MEP, Helen Theocharous, former Minister, (EPP/ChrisianDemocrats).

=> -"The Lack of Sanctions makes Turkey Shameless, added to Dangerous references to Direct Trade (with the illegaly Turkish Occupied Territories of Cyprus) mixed up with Famagusta's issue, and towards opening New Chapters (for EU - Turkey Negotiations), with the pretext of EU Commission's so-called "Positive Agenda", criticized experienced Cyprus' MEP Antigoni Papadopoulou (former Liberal, now SocialDemocrat MEP).

- On the contrary, "I expected some Sanctions on Turkey for persisting to refuse the application of the additional protocol (about freedom of access of all EU Airplanes/Ships, including those which cross Cyprus), because of the Turkish threats (against Cyprus' efforts to use its territorial waters' Oil/Gas recent findings) and the continuing (Military) Occupation of (part of) Cyprus", as she critically observed, obviously joining the Feeling of several other MEPs, from various other EU Countries and/or Political Groups, as yesterday's Debate revealed (Comp. Supra), 3 Months before Cyprus' takes over EU Council's rotating Presidency for the July - December 2012 period.

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