Dutch gov’t wants controls on Turkey’s EU entry talks

Europe must be ready ‘in case Ankara strays from reforms’

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch government yesterday cautiously supported Turkey’s bid to join the European Union, but said the bloc must say clearly what will happen if Ankara strays from the path of reform.

Public opinion in the Netherlands opposes Turkey joining the EU and the Dutch government has sought to play down internal differences over the issue within the center-right coalition while it holds the rotating presidency of the bloc.

But the Dutch Parliament, where leaders of several large parties have expressed doubts over Turkey’s readiness to join the EU, demanded a clearer statement of government policy.

“The government is in principle of the opinion that, in line with the recommendation of the Commission, the European Council can take a positive decision (to start talks with Turkey),” Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot and European Affairs Minister Atzo Nicolai said in a letter to Parliament.

The Netherlands wanted fears that Turkish workers will flood the bloc to be addressed, the letter said.

The country is home to some 350,000 Turks and the Dutch are increasingly hostile toward immigration, an issue that was magnified by last week’s murder of an outspoken filmmaker by a suspected Islamic extremist.

The Netherlands also wants its demands on EU finances to be met, given its fears that costs will spiral if poor Muslim countries join, the letter said. The country is the biggest net contributor to EU finances.

The Dutch government will chair a summit of EU leaders in December which is due to decide whether to launch membership negotiations with Turkey.

Member states were still discussing how to implement a proposal in October by the EU Commission that entry talks should start, but that an “emergency brake” could be triggered to halt them should Turkey backtrack on reform, the letter said.

Before talks could actually start, Turkey would have to implement several laws. EU leaders would also have to agree to measures to strictly control this implementation as well as the “emergency brake” procedures.