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cannedmoose
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4299626.stm
I have to admit I'm rather surprised at Austria's persistent stance on this. I think they're playing hardball in an attempt to 'do a Greece' and link the resumption of accession talks with Croatia to the beginning of talks with Turkey. Given the degree of pressure they must be under, I'm surprised that Austria hasn't cracked yet, so they must be looking to achieve a national strategic aim through this (which accession talks with Croatia would constitute), rather than simply pandering to hostile public opinion.
My personal opinion accords with that of the Greek government - if Turkey is required to adopt the acquis, then she should be entitled to full membership at the conclusion of the process. To say otherwise would be to give Turkey second-class membership. |
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city
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maybe Austria didn't crack yet because it is waiting/hoping for the decision here in Germany, who will lead the country. (nothing decided yet)
If its the Christian Democrats they will argue along the same line as Austria, only "allowing" a privileged partnership for Turkey....
Austria will have a very strong ally then. |
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cannedmoose
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It seems that the Austrian position changed slightly overnight, stressing that they wish to include in the text a mention of a 'special partnership' should membership talks fail. Perhaps the compromise will come if the following scenario is proposed.
Turkey and other candidate states immediately achieve 'special partnership' status, with the right to observers in some EU institutions etc., as they progress towards full membership status. That way, should talks ultimately fail, the candidates will retain special partnership status, pending further consultations with the EU on full membership talks.
These might assuage the objection of the Austrians and still provide the Turks with the ultimate goal of full membership.., |
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gabs
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i dont think the austrians are bluffing.
dont think they'll budge now........................but who knows? |
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cannedmoose
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| gabs wrote: |
i dont think the austrians are bluffing.
dont think they'll budge now........................but who knows? |
It just depends how tight the thumbscrews are and who is tightening them. I still think a deal is possible, particularly over Croatia who the Austrians are desperate to see talks resume with. |
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brother
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| cannedmoose wrote: |
| gabs wrote: |
i dont think the austrians are bluffing.
dont think they'll budge now........................but who knows? |
It just depends how tight the thumbscrews are and who is tightening them. I still think a deal is possible, particularly over Croatia who the Austrians are desperate to see talks resume with. |
Well the idea of the EU is to be pragmatic and compromise etc. so they might make it still but like many i am not holding my breath just hoping common sense prevails. |
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gabs
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http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20051003-07202900-bc-eu-turkey.xml
| Quote: |
Britain's Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, asked other members to recall Turkey's record in aiding Western allies, The Telegraph reported.
"When Western Europe needed defense, along with the United States, it looked to Turkey for that defense on its eastern flank against the then-Soviet Union," Straw said. "No issues were then raised that it had an Islamic majority." |
ooooh really getting down to the nitty gritty now.
new racist capital of the world VIENNA.................they still havent learnt. |
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brother
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| gabs wrote: |
http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20051003-07202900-bc-eu-turkey.xml
| Quote: |
Britain's Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, asked other members to recall Turkey's record in aiding Western allies, The Telegraph reported.
"When Western Europe needed defense, along with the United States, it looked to Turkey for that defense on its eastern flank against the then-Soviet Union," Straw said. "No issues were then raised that it had an Islamic majority." |
ooooh really getting down to the nitty gritty now.
new racist capital of the world VIENNA.................they still havent learnt. |
I like the bit about the Turks are good enough to fight and die for Europe but not to share in its prosperiety and future.
Racism and xenophobia at it text book best being displayed by the Austrians in a new to come television sitcom called 'The Old racists will never die out' and 'How to mock a Turk' |
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gabs
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4304396.stm
| Quote: |
| Austria is on the border with four new EU member states and the general opinion is that we have enough to do to accept the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia," he said. |
looks like The Austrians they cant stick anyone. |
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cannedmoose
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Remember that the OVP (Austrian People's Party), which is currently in government, was the same party that formed a coalition with Jorg Haider's FPO (Austrian Freedom Party) back in 2000, with the result that the other 14 EU countries placed diplomatic sanctions against Austria.
This isn't some knee-jerk reaction that wasn't expected, this is a policy platform for the OVP and one which they will only bend on if subjected to the same degree of diplomatic pressure, or if the EU offers a concession to Austria in the form of restarting Croatian negotiations (in the process letting them get away with non-cooperation in apprehending a number of Yugoslav war criminals.
I know this is how international politics has always been, but I must admit to being increasingly disenchanted with the way that the EU leaders operate at these summits. It's more like horse-trading than collegial decision-making... sad... but inevitable I guess. Still, in this case, Cyprus cannot be blamed for this delay, the blame lies squarely at the feet of Austria... possibly as City said, bolstered by the CDU in Germany. |
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cannedmoose
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brother
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