(…)«Η προσέγγιση μεταξύ της ΕΕ και της Τουρκίας δεν θα πρέπει να θεωρηθεί ως μια διαδικασία διαπραγματεύσεων ούτε ότι σχετίζεται απαραίτητα με την εισαγωγή νέων μελών στην ΕΕ, αλλά μάλλον ως μια προσπάθεια να προωθηθούν και να εξομαλυνθούν βασικές πτυχές της δημοκρατίας στη χώρα».
-Δημήτρης Παπαδημούλης
Ακολουθεί το άρθρο όπως δημοσιεύεται σήμερα
στην πρώτη σε κυκλοφορία τουρκική εφημερίδα
Today Zaman (σημ.: άρθρο στα αγγλικά):
It has been a long discussion on whether Turkey complies with its obligations over controlling refugee flows towards Greece and the EU, or whether the European Commission should assume a more energetic role to press Ankara. Fact is that both sides should come closer and implement what has been agreed.
The Turkish government has not done much since the joint agreement with the EU was signed in late November 2015. It is certain that Turkey has assumed an ever growing number of refugees since the war in Syria has sparked, and this is something the EU is taking into account. But on the other side, one of the biggest problems included in the agreement remains untouched: that of dismantling the expansive networks of smugglers -a «business» worth hundreds of millions of euro- that take advantage of desperate people that want to flee from war-torn countries.
The second vital point of the agreement entails the provision of EU’s refugee facility towards Turkey in order to efficiently accommodate incomers. This is effectuated through EU’s financial assistance allocated for the creation of reception centers and the host of refugee communities. This assistance is not unconditional and has to be coupled with Turkey’s transparency in funding allocation. So far things are not clear whereas EU and the member-states are not properly informed on how this amount will be used and what effect it will have on what has been agreed. In this respect, Ankara should embark on a better model of governance and give priority to upgrading camps, providing schooling and vocational trainings as well as decent medical services and housing.
The third point has to do with the false perception of Turkey’s EU membership and its correlation with the implementation of the joint agreement on the refugee front. The rapprochement between EU and Turkey should not be seen as a bargaining process nor inextricably related to membership admission, but rather as an effort to advance and normalize some fundamental aspects of democracy in the country. The situation in the Southeastern borders with the consecutive curfews, the growing social turmoil and the warlike conditions is alarming. Similar cases have been witnessed with respect to media freedom and the proper implementation of the rule of law, all aspects of policy- and decision-making for which, as an EU, we are deeply concerned.
A fourth point, irrelevant to the joint agreement but important to bring this issue one step further, has to do with EU and Turkey proposing the launch of a joint humanitarian operation with the direct involvement of the United Nations on the ground. It is essential to intensify global efforts and exert a more systematic and persistent pressure towards reaching a compromise in Syria talks. EU should be more active on that, whereas Turkey should stop any kind of warfare in its Southeastern borders, clear out any allegations on links with ISIS, and focus on diplomatic initiatives.
A minimalistic approach of the refugee crisis and the prevalence of states’ self-interests cannot provide a lasting solution. And this is why each part involved in the roots of the problem as well as each part involved in the handling of the repercussions of the refugee crisis should be held accountable for finding a peaceful solution.
*Dimitrios Papadimoulis is Vice President of the European Parliament, MEP of SYRIZA party.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου
skaleadis