Tag: enlargement

• Turkey accession: local self-government and decentralisation on the agenda

  Von Jürgen Klute

  Ahead of the new round of EU-Turkey accession talks that kick off tomorrow, GUE/NGL MEP and Coordinator of the EU-Kurdistan friendship group Jürgen Klute has commented: "After three years of stagnation, the re-opening of EU accession negotiations with Turkey is good news. EU citizens of Turkish and Kurdish origin have been waiting a long time to see Turkey as an integral part of the European Union. While friendly relations with EU governments are positive for Turkey, they are no substitute for fully-fledged and sustainable political integration to the European Union."

• EU more eager to criticize than appreciate?

  Von Interview - Questions: ÖZGÜN ÖZÇER, TARAF

  I think such a reaction is regrettable, ever more since the responsibility of the Constitution Commission is very big. The European Union wishes to foster the respect of human rights in its neighbourhood and it opens the door to countries that live the values of democracy and freedom. We also experience a crisis of democracy in a number of new Member States, namely Hungary, and I can imagine that the Commission is drawing lessons for the future accession process.

• Turkey not set to receive increase in European Union funds

  Von TODAY'S ZAMAN

  The European Union announced on Friday it will not be able to meet Turkey's demand for an increase in funds aimed to help the country align itself with EU standards. A delegation consisting of nine members of the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets visited Turkey from May 2-4, 2012.