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19 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 52 / 43

Opinion on relations between the European Union and Turkey

( 94 / C 52 / 15 )

On 30 June 1993 the Economic and Social Committee, acting under the fourth paragraph of
Article 20 of its Rules of Procedure, decided to draw up an Opinion on relations between
the European Union and Turkey .

The Section for External Relations, Trade and Development Policy, which was responsible
for preparing the Committee 's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 9 December

1993 . The Rapporteur was Mrs Cassina .

At its 311th Plenary Session ( meeting of 22 December 1993 ), the Economic and Social
Committee adopted the following Opinion by 86 votes to 22 with 21 abstentions .

1 . Introduction a large majority, an Information Report which stated
that ' the ESC 's direct contribution to the social and
political dialogue provided for in the Ankara Agree ­

1.1 . The institutional framework for relations ment, and repeatedly called for in Commission and
between the EC and Turkey consists of the Agreement Association Council documents, should be launched
of Association, signed 30 years ago, together with the without further delay ' ( paragraph 11.7 ).
protocols laid down and ratified subsequently .

1.2 . Before launching into the Opinion itself, it is
worth remembering that an Association Agreement
involves commitments which the parties are required
to honour both separately and, most importantly, in
cooperation with each other . The rates of progress and
content of the diverse phases of implementation are,
of course, assessed over time, by both the authorities
responsible for the operation of the Agreement ( the
Council of Association ) and the institutions of the
contracting parties involved in its operation .

1.2.1 . Timetables can be disrupted by the emergence
of new factors or problems : this has occurred with the
Ankara Agreement . To date, however, not even during
the moments of greatest strain in relations between
them have either of the parties expressed any intention
of revoking the Agreement, even in part .

1.3 . The Opinion sets out to assess current trends in
EC / Turkey relations with a view to proposing measures
which might ' ensure the fulfilment of the obligations
arising from this agreement ' ( Article 7 of the Agreement
signed on 12 September 1963 and coming into force the
following year — henceforth referred to as the ' Ankara
Agreement ') .

1.3.1 . Turning to the more specific aspect of direct
ESC involvement, there is a need to establish objectives
and identify the steps which the Committee, insofar
as it is competent, might propose, with a view to
implementing Article 27 of the Ankara Agreement,
which provides for a structured dialogue between the
ESC and Turkish socio-professional organizations .

1.3.2 . On 16 June 1993 the Section for External
Relations, Trade and Development Policy adopted, by

1.3.3 . This Opinion will not repeat the information
and assessments contained in the Information Report,
but relates to it except for developments which have
occurred in the meantime .

1.4 . Three questions were frequently and forcefully
raised during the preparations and discussions for the
Information Report : the level of democracy achieved in
Turkey ( particularly in the social field ), the issue of
Kurdish rights, and the Cyprus question . Events in
recent months must be assessed before an affirmative
response can be made to the Copenhagen Council 's call
' to ensure that there is now an effective implementation
of the guidelines laid down by the European Council
in Lisbon on intensified cooperation and development
of relations with Turkey ? ( Conclusions of the Presi ­
dency, point 6 ).

1.4*1 . Democracy and society : the new government
headed by Mrs Tansu ( filler has, in its programme,
made a number of important statements . It is planned,
in particular :

— to abolish the emergency legislation ;

— to take active steps to protect the independence of

the judiciary ;

— to continue bringing Turkish legislation into line

with international conventions ;

— to reduce the size of the army ( by more than half );

— to set up a judiciary for young people ;

— to prioritize the development of backward areas ;

— to provide incentives for environmental conser ­

vation ;

— to remove the State broadcasting monopoly ;

No C 52 / 44 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 2 . 94

— to allow trade unions for public sector workers .

1.4.1.1 . The most important declaration, however,
as reported by ' Newspot ' ( No 93 / 13 ), is that Turkey
needs a new Constitution encompassing all the ingredi ­
ents for pluralistic democracy, human rights, individual
rights, and trade union rights and freedoms, as
enshrined in the Charter of Paris .

1.4.1.2 . The Turkish Government 's efforts in this

direction must be given every support and encourage ­
ment if they are to result in practical measures leading
to the rapid completion of the country 's democratic
foundation .

1.4.2 . The Kurdish problem . The unilateral ceasefire
declared last spring by the PKK unfortunately lasted no
more than a few months . There is no point in
attempting to establish here whether the blame for the
resurgence of fighting lies exclusively with one side or
the other . The fact is that serious clashes, with civilian
casualties, continue to occur, while the PKK has
extended its attacks to foreign citizens, some of whom
have been kidnapped by its guerrillas . The Committee
is greatly concerned by the worsening situation, and
calls on the Turkish Government to make every effort
to create the conditions for a political solution .

1.4.2.1 . The fundamental rights of peoples must be
safeguarded throughout the world, but political sol ­
utions to conflicts must be found : now more than ever,
as misconceptions and abuse of the ' rights of peoples '
have led to more than 200,000 deaths in the former
Yugoslavia, and we are witnessing a return of the
horrors of the last world war, the democratic nations
must step up their efforts to promote peaceful, political
solutions to such problems . The progress in the Middle
East peace talks lends weight to this approach .

1.4.2.2 . The unity of the Turkish State — a founding
principle for Turkey — should be compatible not only
with the right of the Kurds to use and teach their own
language and survival of their customs and traditions,
but also with proper levels of administrative autonomy .
Economic and social development in the predominantly
Kurdish-populated areas could help create a climate
for the peaceful coexistence, within a single State, of
different ethnic groups ( of which Turkey contains
dozens ).

dealings with both the Turkish Government and vari ­
ous Kurdish representatives on this approach .

# 1.4.3 . The Cyprus question . Negotiations at the UN '

have been interrupted, since the Turkish Cypriot rep ­
resentative, Mr Denktash, stopped attending the talks,
subsequently giving up his negotiating brief . The UN
Secretary, Mr Boutros Ghali, has severely criticized this
decision . However, he has also declared the Turkish
Government 's support for the package of confidence ­
building measures to be encouraging and has urged
Ankara to emphasise this support in its contacts with
the Turkish Cypriot community .

1.4.3.1 . The new Turkish Government, for its part,
has emphasized its willingness to work towards a politi ­
cal solution and an overall improvement in relations
with Greece, but has also pointed out that it is princi ­
pally up to the Cypriots to settle their differences at the
UN .

1.4.3.2 . On 30 June 1993 the Commission published
its opinion on Cyprus ' application to join the EC .
Given the Republic of Cyprus ' level of economic and
democratic development, and the positive effects that
accession might have on the island as a whole, the
Commission concluded that the application was
admissible, adding that this would send a positive signal
to the Cypriot population . It would therefore initiate
the procedure leading to accession as soon as more
certain prospects for a solution to the Cypriot problem
emerged [ COM(93 ) 313 final ].

1.4.3.3 . In its Conclusions, the Commission under ­
lined the EC 's support for the UN Secretary General 's
efforts to achieve a political settlement of the Cypriot
question . In the meantime, the Commission would be
ready to begin preliminary discussions, if the Council
so decided ( 1 ).

1.4.3.4 . In the event that the hoped-for solution was
not achieved, the Commission would re-examine the
matter from January 1995 .

1.4.3.5 . The Committee consequently urges the
Community authorities to work at all levels to facilitate
the earliest possible political solution, within the frame ­
work of the UN initiative .

2 . The current state of EC / Turkish relations

dozens ). 2.1 . Turkey 's importance as an EC partner and its

pivotal role between Western Europe, Central Asia, the
Caucasus, the Balkans and the Middle East is beyond
question .
1.4.2.3 . To deny this vision, or to fail to accept that
time will be needed to bring it about, would simply
condemn millions to continuing violence, in the search
for definitive solutions which will never come . The EU, (') The Council adopted its Opinion on 4 October 1993 and has
the ESC and the Member States should base their

(') The Council adopted its Opinion on 4 October 1993 and has

authorized the Commission to begin discussions .

19 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 52 / 45

2.1.1 . This importance is combined with Turkey 's
resolute and consistent decision to align itself fully with
the Community .

2.1.2 . Turkey 's foreign policy orientation and the
thrust of its diplomacy in the Balkans, Central Asia,
the Caucasus and the Middle East — all areas charac ­
terized by the risk of destabilization and development
problems — are broadening its responsibilities . It is
clearly in the Community 's interest to support Turkey
in implementing stabilization and development policy .

2.2 . This point has frequently been made by Com ­
munity institutions and, most recently, by the Com ­
missioner for External Political Relations, Mr Van den
Broek, who visited T urkey in May of this year .

2.6.1 . The 1970 Additional Protocol lays down that
the customs union shall be set up over a period of 22
years from the entry into force of the protocol ( 1973 ):
in other words, by 1995 .

2.6.1.1 . The Association Council of 9 November
1992 and the Association Committee of 16 April 1993
appraised the measures which must be taken by both
parties in order to keep to the timetable for the customs
union under the most advantageous conditions possible .
The objective, of course, remains full implementation
of the union .

2.6.1.2 . These appraisals should be taken as a start ­
ing point, since they touch upon the proposed insti ­
tutional framework for the implementation of the
Ankara Agreement . The ESC may make its own inde ­
pendent voice heard on this matter, adding its own
judgments and proposals .

2.3 . A number of recent Community summits ( Dub ­
lin, Lisbon, Edinburgh, Copenhagen ) referred to EC / 3 . Completion of the customs union
Turkey relations in their Conclusions, highlighting their
importance and calling for complete fulfilment of obli ­
gations under the Ankara Agreement and its various
protocols . 3.1 . The Community noted with satisfaction the

measures taken by the Turkish authorities in the early
part of the year ( 1 ). These measures were :

2.4 . Following the difficulties of the 1980s caused by
the installation of a military regime, the progressive
return to democracy has generated a significant upsurge
in Association Council activity . A series of guidelines
for the completion of the customs union, according to
the timetable and methods set out in the 1970 protocol,
is emerging .

2.5 . The EC / Turkey Interparliamentary Assembly
has also met a number of times in recent years . The
European Parliament, while voicing reservations as to
the maturity of Turkish democracy, condemning Anka ­
ra 's stance on the Kurds and pointing to Turkish
responsibilities in the Cyprus question, has acknowl ­
edged the scale and dynamism of the current phase of
overall development in the country .

— further elimination of customs duties in respect of

the EC in pursuit of the aim of 80 % and 70 %
abolition ( 12-year and 22-year lists respectively );

— further alignment on the Common Customs T ariff,

in pursuit of the aim of 60 % and 50 % alignment
( 12-year and 22-year lists respectively );

— new import arrangements ( the ' unified charge ' sys ­

tem ) with preferential treatment for EC products,
including a number of agricultural and fisheries
products and coal and steel products .

3.1.1 . Similar treatment is granted to the EFT A
countries, with which Turkey has signed a free trade

agreement .

3.2 . The EC has nevertheless expressed dissatis ­
faction on at least three counts :

2.6 . The most pressing — and most quoted — aim
in the current state of EC / Turkish relations is full — Turkey operates a ' Social Housing Fund
completion of the customs union . Its accomplishment by import duties and also at least in
would bring us up to the third (' final ') stage indicated drawals from other funds now abolished ;
in the Ankara Agreement, to be based on the customs drawals are tantamount, for the
union economic, and policies would of entail the Contracting ' closer coordination Parties ' ( of closer the ' charges having equivalent effect ' to
the alignment current of ' these transitional policies stage is set ' — out Article as an objective 4(1 ) of the of — Turkish law still contains provisions
Agreement ). As already indicated, the Ankara Agree ­ non-tariff barriers ( e.g. grouping
ment provides for areas of cooperation beyond the
customs union : such cooperation is, perhaps, now of
more significance to the development of EC / Turkish
relations than the customs union itself . (') See the Association Committee of 16 April 1993 .

— Turkey operates a ' Social Housing Fund ' financed

by import duties and also at least in part by with ­
drawals from other funds now abolished ; such with ­
drawals are tantamount, for the Community, to

' charges having equivalent effect ' to customs duties ;

— Turkish law still contains provisions constituting

non-tariff barriers ( e.g. grouping commonly-used

No C 52 / 46 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 2 . 94

products — toothpaste — with medicines, and cer ­ an adequate tax base and a sound State budget allowing
tain laborious import control procedures for EC proper allocations to be made for social objectives .
agricultural imports );

— the content of regulations on intellectual property

( patents, trade marks and copyright ) and the rate
at which they are being drawn up do not inspire
sufficient confidence, notwithstanding Turkey 's
stated determination to settle this problem .

3.2.1 . The EC delegation has, however, noted that
the customs cooperation committee ( set up by the
Association Council ) is carrying out thorough-going
and valuable work to clear up the difficulties surround ­
ing tariffs, duties and non-tariff barriers . The same
committee should also examine the thorny problem of
devising procedures identical to, and of the harmoniza ­
tion of standards with, Community ones for achieving
the customs union .

3.2.2 . The main apparent obstacle is the Housing
Fund, the clear social scope of which runs counter
to its method of financing : this is incompatible with
completion of the customs union .

3.2.3 . In contrast, with regard to elimination of
duties and alignment on the Common Customs Tariff
— above and beyond the pressure which the Com ­

munity will continue to place on the Turkish authori ­
ties, together with due, appropriate technical
support — it is only fair to welcome and encourage the
Ankara Government 's programme, which sets out to
accelerate 100% completion of objectives within the
deadline set .

3.4.2 . Opportunities have however opened up in the
sphere of EC / Turkey cooperation with regard to infra ­
structure networks : priority might be given to civil
and housing infrastructure projects, so as to make the
abolition of the Housing Fund easier for Turkey . Incen ­
tives might also be provided for investment from EC
countries in social housing .

3.4.3 . European investors, it will be remembered,
operate in Turkey because of two main factors : low

labour costs and highly favourable tax arrangements,
bordering on exemption in the ' free zones ', for instance .
European producers often raise the issue of protection
for sectors vulnerable to Turkish imports . The same
producers, however, are often also investors in Turkey
and, as such, enjoy the tax incentives mentioned . Lib ­
eralization clearly cannot be unilateral ( free entry for
Community products to Turkey while complaining
about Ankara 's support for its own exporting indus ­
tries ), then taking full advantage of all the facilities
offered to foreign investors .

3.4.3.1 . In the interest of greater equity, regular tax ­
ation must equally apply to foreign investors, thereby
helping to restore Turkey 's balance of payments and
to liberalize trade within the framework of the Customs

Union .

3.5 . At least two further questions inject a degree of
tension into EC / Turkish economic relations : textile
imports from Turkey and the alignment of Turkish
farm policy with the CAP .
3.3 . The Ankara authorities have restated their

determination to achieve a full customs union with the
EC, although they point out that the Turkish / EC trade
balance is moving against them, at the same time as the 3.5.1 . Textile product imports from Turkey are regu ­
process of liberalization, tariff abolition and common lated by direct voluntary restraint agreements between
customs tariff alignment is advancing . the EC Commission and the Association of Turkish

, 3.5.1 . Textile product imports from Turkey are regu ­
process of liberalization, tariff abolition and common lated by direct voluntary restraint agreements between
customs tariff alignment is advancing . the EC Commission and the Association of Turkish

Textile Exporters . Negotiations for the renewal of the
agreement on clothing concluded with a signing last
June . They provide for a 12.5% increase in exports .
3.4 . Ankara places the Housing Fund question in a Negotiations for the agreement on textiles and knitwear
broader context, emphasizing that none of the efforts continue .
being made on the Turkish side are receiving any finan ­
cial assistance . Abolition of the Fund is said to be under
consideration, although Ankara has indicated that it
may be allowed to continue until 1998 . 3.5.1.1 . Turkey is the second exporter of textiles to
the EC, to the value of ECU 2.9bn a year . Textiles
account for 35 % of the country 's total exports . Turkish
textiles producers complain that imports to the EC

3.4.1 . The Information Report highlighted the from other third countries are rising significantly, and
implicit relationship between the financing needs of a argue that the Turkish textiles industry is the only one
socially-oriented fund and Turkish State budget diffi ­ with the potential to boost the development of the
culties : clearly, the only structural solution consists of sector in the surrounding region .

3.4.1 . The Information Report highlighted the
implicit relationship between the financing needs of a
socially-oriented fund and Turkish State budget diffi ­
culties : clearly, the only structural solution consists of

19 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 52 / 47

3.5.1.2 . The Commission should strive to ensure that

achievement of the customs union does not involve
further shocks for the Community 's textiles sector .
However, this means backing Turkey 's development of
its sector, particularly in marketing its produce and
cooperating in production and marketing terms with
Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans and the Middle

East .

3.5.2 . Community concerns over agriculture relate
more to the future : if the rationalization plans are
successfully completed, a major production boom ( par ­
ticularly in Mediterranean products ) could occur, with
the consequent pressures on the EC agricultural market,
already suffering from over-production .

3.5.2.4 . Implementation of these measures might not
resolve all the difficulties between the CAP and Turkish
agriculture, but it would certainly create a climate
of better understanding and cooperation beneficial to
completion of the customs union .

3.5.3 . Significant headway has been made in the
services sector, particularly concerning the Turkish
banking system — which, however, still lags behind its
counterparts in the Member States . Given the sector 's
strategic importance for both economic and commercial
development and social progress, a real effort must be
made in favour of harmonization, with Community

support .

4 . Areas of cooperation beyond the customs union

3.5.2.1 . Turkish agro-foodstuff production guaran ­
tees self-sufficiency and should continue to do so even
given the strong demographic growth and expansion of 4.1 . Migrants and employment
domestic demand (+ 5% per annum ). Methods are,
however, out-dated, and infrastructures and services
are lacking ( see the Information Report ). Since social development is vital to the country 's overall
development, the conditions affecting Turkish migrants
in the EU countries cannot be seen simply as a question
relating to customs union completion . In the ESC 's

3.5.2.2 . Ankara maintains that domestic demand will view, any solution to migration-related problems
continue Asia, the to Balkans grow and, the that Caucasus surrounding, other regions Mediterranean ( Central always of ment treatment trends depends in and the on rights country developments in the of host origin in country two . areas ; and : equality employ ­

4.1 . Migrants and employment

3.5.2.2 . Ankara maintains that domestic demand will
continue to grow and that surrounding regions ( Central
Asia, the Balkans, the Caucasus, other Mediterranean
countries and, most importantly, the Middle East ) will
provide ample market opportunities for its produce .

3.5.2.3 . As with comparable existing or potential
problems in other sectors, the agricultural issue must
be tackled in different ways :

— technical cooperation : support for the production

renewal process via project advice, training of
experts in terms of Community experience and CAP
\ mechanisms, joint studies to develop the sector 's

structures and infrastructures, etc .;

— comprehensive project cooperation : compatibility

and complementarity studies ; assessment of the
opportunities for harmonizing production methods ;
training and information for rural populations ;
product quality and upgrading of typical regional
products, environmental impact assessment of
rationalization, advanced and innovative exper ­
imentation ( biological crops, rare products, bio ­
fuel ), consumer education ( Turkey and EC ), etc .;

— distribution assistance : study of potential markets

and possible synergy between Community and
Turkish exports ; consideration of joint policies and
strategies on global markets ( GATT ), etc .

4.1.1 . Urgent measures should be taken :

— to protect Turkish migrants from the racist attacks

which they have suffered and continue to suffer in
some EU countries ;

— to consider a Community approach facilitating

acquisition of dual nationality ;

— to facilitate conditions of naturalization so that,

more especially, people born in a given country, or
living there for a long time, may enjoy a legal claim
to naturalization while retaining the citizenship of
their country of origin ;

— to ensure that families can be reunited in their

country of residence on the basis of standards laid
down in relevant EU directives ;

— to accelerate determination of the degree of
implementation ( or reasons for non-implemen ­
tation ) of the 1980 decisions on free movement ;

— to ensure that male and female Turkish workers

( and their family members ) who are domiciled in
an EU country have equal, non-discriminatory
access to the labour market ; the judgments of the
European Court of Justice on right of residence and

No C 52 / 48 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 2 . 94

access to the labour market must, in particular, be
transposed into European and national law ;

— to support the development of vocational training

structures for workers in Turkey, broadening access
to certain Community programmes and collabor ­
ation with CEDEFOP ;

— to encourage Turkish / EC projects which, within the

framework of those programmes to which Turkey
has access ( under the new Mediterranean policy and
TACIS in particular ), take account of the need
to build up the employment base and vocational
training in Turkey ;

— to extend opportunities for young Turkish people to

follow in-service training courses in EC institutions .

4.1.2 . Urgent thought should be given to ways of

ensuring that :

— the freedom of movement enjoyed by male and

female Turkish workers ( and their families ) domi ­
ciled in the EU is expanded in line with the progress
of economic cooperation and is aligned on the free ­
dom of movement to which workers who are citi ­

zens of the Union are entitled ;

— freedom of travel is introduced ;

— freedom of movement is introduced for young wor ­

kers from both Turkey and the EU with a view to
undergoing vocational training under EU pro ­

grammes .

for delegates from Turkish companies, including
periods in EC companies ;

— also facilitating workers ' training in health and

safety research centres, organized by the social part ­
ners on a European level ;

— offering Turkish researchers the opportunity to

work on relevant Community R&D programmes .

4.3 . Economic and social cohesion

4.3.1 . The Information Report referred to the dif ­
fering levels of development between Turkish regions .
The new government has confirmed that development
of backward areas is high on its list of priorities and
has expressed its conviction that the development of
Eastern Anatolia in particular might help solve current
political difficulties . This approach merits support . The
EC has long experience — both positive and negative —
in this sphere, which might usefully be put at Turkey 's
disposal .

4.3.2 . More specifically, the idea of a partnership
between the authorities responsible for development
policy and the social partners of the recipient areas,
which has emerged from Structural Fund reform, could
be of interest in the Turkish context ( subject, of course,
to certain essential adjustments ): it is vital that local
inhabitants and workers be involved if development is
to bring social peace .

4.4 . Cultural dialogue
4.2 . Environment, regional questions, health and
safety

There is much to be done in these areas, which represent
a major problem for Turkey .

4.2.1 . The following suggestions represent only a
few general approaches to possible cooperation :

— encouraging the Ankara Government to conduct a

vigorous anti-pollution campaign, especially in
urban and industrial areas, extracting maximum
advantage, for example, from the MED-URBS pro ­

gramme ;

— monitoring the environmental compatibility of
infrastructure projects at the implementation phase ;

— stepping up technical cooperation with a view to

harmonizing standards, particularly those covering
health and safety at the workplace ;

— providing health and safety training opportunities

4.4.1 . Little is known about Turkey in the Com ­
munity countries, aside from a few aspects arising from

- economic, trade and, more recently, tourist links, and

the presence in EC countries of many Turkish migrants .

4.4.1.1 . This state of mutual ignorance or only vague
knowledge between two complex, multi-faceted entities
such as the EC and Turkey can lead not only to misun ­
derstanding, but even coolness and prejudice . To be
fair, Turkey has put far more effort into studying the
Community than the EC countries have with regard to
Turkey .

, 4.4.1.2 . The fundamental difference between the
Community languages and Turkish does nothing to
help in this respect .

4.4.2 . If the EU and T urkey are to enjoy a mature and
fruitful relationship, a strategy of cultural cooperation
needs to be put into practice . The centuries of contact
and conflict between Europe and the Ottoman Empire

19 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 52 / 49

and, beyond that, the Hellenistic period, provide abun ­
dant raw material for such cooperation .

4.4.3 . Reasons in favour of the vigorous pursuit of
cultural contacts include :

— Turkey 's pivotal cultural position with respect to

the Turkic-speaking world of Central Asia, the Cau ­
casus and the Balkans ;

— Turkey 's current wealth of cultural experience and

dynamism, particularly in the universities, whose
autonomy the Government has promised to expand
radically ;

— the interest displayed — but not always reciprocated

— by Turkish intellectuals in the Community ;

— young people 's expectations of and interest in Euro ­

pean culture, demonstrated by the growing study
of European languages ;

— the mutual benefit of comparing the cultural models

of two entities which are closely involved with
each other on numerous levels ; more specifically,
Turkey 's Islamic model, secular and Western ­
oriented, should be highlighted and supported ( part ­
ly as a means of containing fundamentalist currents,
which constitute a destabilizing factor in Turkey );

— the need to safeguard the archaeological heritage .

4.4.4 . In addition to the proposals made above, prin ­
cipally concerned with vocational training and research,
opportunities for T urkey to join European inter-univer ­
sity exchange schemes should be provided : a quota of
Turkish participants might be set, for example . The
same could apply to European university institutions,
Community educational establishments for foreigners
and the various language study facilities available to
young people .

4.4.4.1 . Information on such initiatives should be
widely available, and Community students should also
be encouraged to attend various courses in Turkey .

4.4.5 . An important point is not only, in areas of the
Community with a strong Turkish presence, to allow
Turkish children to retain and cherish their own cul ­
ture, but also to make some effort to inform school ­
children from Community countries about Turkey .

4.4.5.1 . It is worth remembering that Turkey is the
Community 's only Mediterranean neighbour which
possesses population levels and an economic dynamism
comparable with those of the larger EC Member States .

4.4.6 . The intention of the present Turkish Govern ­
ment to lift its broadcasting monopoly and to privatize
the sector entails the risk that the doors might be
opened to Community media operators motivated by
purely commercial — if not speculative — criteria .

4.4.6.1 . A Community initiative on this question,
aimed at avoiding the replacement of a State cultural
monopoly with a private one, could be useful in making
the Turkish side aware of the limitations and oppor ­
tunities of our system .

4.5 . The essential cultural role which women can
play in Turkey must never be overlooked : Turkish
women enjoy solid guarantees of equality as a result of
the Turkish State 's secular status . From this point of
view, efforts should be made to build up contacts
between Turkish and Community women 's organiza ­
tions to compare how legal equality has been expressed,
and in order to further the practical application of this
principle in professional, social and political life .

4.6 . Lastly, the Committee welcomes the EC 's
decision to adopt Turkey as the theme for ' Europalia
96 '.

5 . Socio-professional dialogue

5.1 . Given that most of the proposals to strengthen
EC / Turkey cooperation, with a view to the full
implementation of the Ankara Agreement, have
important socio-economic implications, insti ­
tutionalization of the socio-professional dialogue
referred to in Article 27 of the Cooperation Agreement
is fully justified : indeed, it is an urgent necessity .

5.1.1 . This should be accomplished by setting up a
' Joint Consultative Committee ' with equal represen ­
tation for both sides .

5.2 . Institutional dialogue between the ESC and the
Turkish social partners might, in particular, encourage
the Turkish authorities to bring forward the establish ­
ment of a national consultative body : the ESC 's struc ­
ture and experience could be a useful example in putting
the consultative function on official lines even in an
individual country .

5.2.1 . Setting up a ' Joint Consultative Committee '
would above all contribute to fostering awareness and
understanding between EC and Turkish social partners,
and to identifying opportunities of mutual advantage .

5.2.2 . At the same time, the ' Joint Consultative Com ­
mittee ' would urgently need to monitor progress
towards the Customs Union which, in theory, should
be completed in just over two years . The aim would

No G 52 / 50 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 2 . 94

be, from both sides, to contribute to and accelerate
completion, but most of all to voice the views of the
social forces on the issues involved in the Customs

Union .

ological approach, as well as to the action which the
Committee proposes the Community authorities take,
and which it intends to take itself in line with its
responsibility to implement Article 27 of the Ankara
Agreement .

5.3 . The ' Joint Consultative Committee ' might con ­
sist of 15 ESC members and 15 representatives of Turk ­ 6.2 . Given that :
ish socio-professional bodies ( the latter on a provisional
basis, pending the establishment of a Turkish consulta ­ — from a number
proposal tive institution, forwarded, as suggested to the by ESC the for Association information Council last cal essential, cultural link
February ).

— from a number of points of view ( economic, politi ­

cal, cultural and strategic ), Turkey constitutes an
essential link between Europe, Central Asia, the
Caucasus and the Middle East ;

5.4 . Frequency of meetings and working methods
would have to be discussed by the ' Joint Consultative
Committee ' when drawing up its rules of procedure .
During the early stages at least, however, these rules
would need to be flexible enough to allow for the
greatest possible efficacy given the rapidity of events
concerning the various aspects of completing the Cus ­
toms Union .

5.4.1 . The experience of the EC / EFT A Joint Com ­
mittee would, of course, be of great value when setting
up the EC / Turkey Committee .

5.5 . The Turkish delegation would be appointed by
the Turkish Government, and the ESC would cooperate
with the Association Council for the swiftest possible
constitution of a strong, representative Turkish
counterpart on the Joint Committee .

— Turkey is a major Mediterranean country, with

its own particular form of economic development,
which several decades ago opted clearly and ration ­
ally for Europe ;

— existing trade between the Community and Turkey

is continuing to expand, although a number of
imbalances need to be corrected ( Turkey 's trade
deficit in particular );

— the Dublin, Lisbon, Edinburgh and Copenhagen

European summits have explicitly called upon the
Community to strengthen cooperation with Turkey
and to set up a customs union with it, as well as to
contribute to the development and strengthening of
democracy in Turkey — essential aims within the
framework of application of the Association Agree ­

ment,

the Committee reiterates the need — already voiced in

5.5.1 . The ESC would appoint its delegation accord ­ the for a Conclusions fundamental of qualitative last June leap 's Information forward in Report EC / Tur — ­
a ing degree to its of own flexibility criteria with . It would regard be to advisable delegation to mem apply ­ key relations .
bership, so as to ensure the presence of Members with
specific knowledge of the issues which would, from
time to time, arise at meetings . 6.3 . In order to attain the target of a customs union
within the deadlines set :

5.6 . In principle, meetings should alternate between 6.3.1 . rapid r progress must be made in dismantling
the Community and Turkey, and should be scheduled to tariff barriers, with simultaneous Turkish alignment on
anticipate, as far as possible, discussions at Association the common customs tariff ;
Council meetings ( to ensure an effective consultative
function ).

5.7 . It might be helpful to set up a small permanent
liaison group (3 per side maximum ) to prepare the
groundwork for Joint Consultative Committee meet ­
ings by exchanging letters, documents etc .

6 . Conclusions

6.1 . These Conclusions will not repeat the analyses
or specific suggestions made earlier on in this Opinion,
but reference will be made to the general and method ­

6.3.2 . all necessary back-up measures must be taken,
particularly those likely to help the Turkish authorities
redress State finances ;

6.3.3 . all necessary resources, in terms of instruments
and advice as well as financial resources, must be made
available for technical cooperation ;

6.3.4 . production complementarity strategies must
be devised and applied ;

6.3.5 . the current and, above all, prospective poten ­
tial of Community and Turkish markets must be asses ­

19 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 52 / 51

sed, together with the major opportunities offered by
markets bordering Turkey ;

6.3.6 . EC / Turkish cooperation in the area of trans ­
European infrastructure projects needs to be stepped
up, in view of their social content and overall strategic
significance for Central Asia, the Caucasus and the
Middle East ( advancing peace and stability, optimum
use and equitable division of resources, promotion of
integrated development : this applies especially to water
and energy networks );

6.3.7 . R&D cooperation should be intensified,
boosting Turkish participation in Community projects ;

6.3.8 . two-way contact in the field of structural pol ­
icy ( economic and social cohesion ) should be estab ­
lished, mapping out possible areas of cooperation ;

6.3.9 . the opportunities provided by the new Medit ­
erranean policy ( MED-URBS, MED-INVEST ) should
be put to best use, in line with the above-mentioned
objectives and initiatives, in addition to the possibilities
offered by the T acis programme .

6.4 . Particular attention should be focused on pro ­
gress in the following spheres :

6.4.1 . In implementing freedom of movement, the
following steps must be taken :

6.4.1.1 . an urgent survey of the degree of application
of Association Council decisions on the free movement
of Turkish workers in the EC, dating back to 1980 ;

6.4.1.2 . urgent drafting of a properly-structured
action plan for the full implementation of these
decisions ;

6.4.1.3 . prioritization, in all cooperation projects in
Turkey, of activities creating employment ;

6.4.1.4 . encouragement of contact, exchanges and
joint training between Turkish and Community
workers ( in both the EC and Turkey ); and encourage ­
ment of contacts and exchanges of workers ' representa ­
tives in firms, and on-going consultation of the social

partners .

6.4.1.5 . Community measures to combat racist and
xenophobic thinking, acts and propaganda .

6.5 . The Committee welcomes the developing high ­
level political dialogue and hopes that this will be
further intensified . This dialogue could help resolve a
number of problems such as the complete consolidation

of democracy in Turkey, the rights of the Kurdish
people, and the Cyprus question : Community authori ­
ties and institutions, working together with the Member
States, should encourage the adoption of constructive
attitudes and peaceful, political solutions by the Turk ­
ish authorities and support them with back-up measures
where necessary and requested .

6.6 . For its part, the Committee undertakes to take
at the earliest opportunity all measures required to
achieve the socio-professional dialogue under Article 27
of the Ankara Agreement and as indicated in para ­
graph 5 of this Opinion .

6.7 . The Committee also hopes that robust, struc ­
tured forms of cooperation will be built up in the
following areas :

— development and deployment of human resources

( paragraph 4.1 of the Opinion );

— environment, regional questions, health and safety

( paragraph 4.2 );

— culture, research and the mass media ( paragraph

4.4 and the Med-Campus, Med-Avicenna and Med ­
Media programmes );

— development in the Palestinian territories following

the signature of the recent peace agreement .

6.8 . It is crystal clear that the resources planned and
provided for under the terms of the Fourth Financial
Protocol ( initialled in June 1981 and again in January

1989, but never implemented on account of the lack of
Council unanimity ) must be released if a more
ambitious and mutually advantageous relationship with
Turkey is to be achieved .

6.i8.1 . Moreover, the Copenhagen summit 's call to
the Council ' to ensure that there is now an effective
implementation of the guidelines laid down by the
European Council in Lisbon ' cannot be interpreted as
anything other than a demand for the financial pro ­
visions to be implemented . It is hardly conceivable that
any EC summit in the near future should have to repeat
such an explicit call .

6.9 . The Committee trusts that the action and
general criteria proposed will receive the careful
attention of the Community authorities and the
Member States, and that appropriate decisions will
follow promptly .

6.9.1 . If the frequently cited ' qualitative leap for ­
ward ' in EU / Turkish relations is properly executed, it

No C 52 / 52 Official Journal of the European Communities 19 . 2 . 94

will — in addition to amplifying the mutual benefits of
Association — provide all the necessary elements for a

Done at Brussels, 22 December 1993 .

re-examination, under more appropriate circumstances,
of the question of Turkey 's accession to the EU .

The Chairman

of the Economic and Social Committee

Susanne TIEMANN

APPENDIX I

to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee

The following Members, present or represented, voted in favour of the Opinion :

Mr / Mrs / Miss : ABE JON RESA, AMATO, ARENA, BAEZA, BAGLIANO, BARBAGLI, Dame Jocelyn
BARROW, BEALE, BELL, BELTRAMI, BERNABEI, BERNS, BLESER, BOISSEREE, BONVICINI, van den
BURG, CARROLL, CASSINA, COLOMBO, DONCK, DUNKEL, d'ELIA, ELSTNER, ENGELEN-KEFER,
EULEN, FLUM, FORGAS I CABRERA, FRANDI, FREEMAN, GERMOZZI, GEUENICH, GIACOMELLI,
GIESECKE, GIRON, GOTTERO, GREEN, GROBEN, GUILLAUME, von HAUS, HILKENS, HOVGAARD
JAKOBSEN, JASCHICK, JENKINS, KAARIS, KARGAARD, KIELMAN, de KNEGT, LAPPAS, LAUR,
LINSSEN, LIVERANI, LÖW, LYONS, MADDOCKS, MARGALEF MASIA, MAYAYO BELLO, MEYER ­
HORN, MOBBS, MOLINA VALLEJO, MORELAND, MORIZE, MULLER E., MUÑIZ GUARDADO,
NIERHAUS, PASQUALI, de PAUL de B ARCHIFONT AINE, PE, PELLARINI, PETERSEN, PRICOLO,
RAMAEKERS, REA, ROMOLI, SA BORGES, SALA, SAUWENS, SCHMIDT, SCHMITZ, von SCHWERIN,
SILVA, SMITH, STECHER NAVARRA, STOKKERS, STRAUSS, THYS, WALDACK .

The following Members, present or represented, voted against the Opinion :

Mr / Mrs : ANDRADE, ATAÍDE FERREIRA, BENTO GONÇALVES, BORDES-PAGES, BREDIMA SAVO ­
POULOU, CAVALEIRO BRANDÃO, CUNHA, DIAPOULIS, DOUVIS, DRILLEAUD, FRERICHS, GAFO
FERNANDEZ, KAZAZIS, KORFIATIS, LACA MARTIN, MANTOVANI, PAVLOPOULOS, PELLETIER
Ch ., PETROPOULOS, SAITIS, SPYROUDIS, THEONAS .

The following Members, present or represented, abstained :

Mr / Mrs / Miss : ASPINALL, BROOKES, BURNEL, Vasco CAL, CHEVALIER, GAUTIER, GHIGONIS,
KIENLE, LITTLE, MORALES, MULLER R., NOORDWAL, PARDON, PERRIN-PELLETIER, PROU ­
MENS, RANGONI MACHIAVELLI, SANTOS, SEGUY, SPEIRS, WHITWORTH .

19 . 2 . 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 52 / 53

APPENDIX II

to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee

The following amendments, which received at least one quarter of the votes, were defeated in the course of
the debate :

Paragraph 2.1

Delete the phrase : ' is beyond question ' and replace with the following :

' may be recognized in practice provided that Turkey accepts alignment with the Community by taking on
board the full range of political values of democracy, solidarity, respect for human rights and the peaceful
settlement of differences affecting the Community structure and EC policy .'

Reasons

Self-explanatory .

Result of vote

For : 30, against : 46, abstentions : 21 .

Paragraph 6.8

Replace the phrase ' on account of the lack of Council unanimity ' with ' on account of the justified lack of
Council unanimity '.

Add the following sentence at the end of paragraph 6.8 :

' The Turkish Government is urged to take the necessary political steps to help ensure unanimity at the next
Council .'

Reasons

The lack of Council unanimity is justified by the presence of occupying troops in Cyprus and by the non ­
respect by Turkey of the international obligations placed upon it by international agreements and European
Parliament and UN resolutions .

Result of vote

For : 38, against : 68, abstentions : 18 .