EU Officials Hope to Salvage Deal with Turkey on Customs Union

Strategic Insights -

European Union officials expressed hope that a deal with Greece to create a customs union with Turkey could still be salvaged, despite Greece's initial rejection. French European Affairs Minister Alain Lamassoure and EU Foreign Relations Commissioner Hans van den Broek defended a provisional agreement reached on February 6, under which Greece would lift its veto on the customs union in exchange for a timetable for admitting Cyprus to the EU. The agreement has been met with opposition from a majority in the European Parliament, citing Turkey's record on civil rights, including harsh jail sentences handed down to Kurdish members of the Turkish parliament.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU officials hope to salvage a deal with Greece to create a customs union with Turkey, which would maintain protection for EU farmers and Turkish industries.
  • The provisional agreement would lift a 14-year-old Greek veto on disbursement of a $807 million financial aid package to Turkey.
  • The agreement would commit the EU to opening negotiations with Cyprus no later than 6 months after the EU completes a major overhaul of its institutions, which is due to begin in 1996.
  • Greece had initially accepted the deal on February 6 but then reversed itself and demanded new concessions.
  • A majority in the European Parliament opposes the customs union due to Turkey's record on civil rights, including harsh jail sentences for Kurdish parliament members.
  • The European Parliament is due to vote on the issue on Thursday.

Statistics:

  • The financial aid package to Turkey worth $807 million (1 billion European Currency Unit) was blocked by Greece for 14 years.
  • The provisional agreement would create a customs union with Turkey in 1996.
  • The EU institutions are due to begin a major overhaul in 1996.
  • The European Parliament is due to vote on the issue on Thursday.
  • Turkey has imposed harsh jail sentences on Kurdish parliament members, ranging from three and a half years to 15 years.

Sources:

  • "E.U. Officials Hope to Salvage Deal with Turkey," The New York Times, February 15, 1996.
  • "Greece and E.U. at Odds over Turkey Deal," Los Angeles Times, February 16, 1996.