"EU Term President: EU's Turkey Policy is not Fair
Bot: The Rules Are Being Changed Mid-Match
The European Union's (EU) Dutch Term President Foreign Minister Bernard Bot said that referendums being planned in France and Austria will probably prevent Turkey from joining the EU.
In a speech aired on Dutch television, Bot said, 'I do not think it is fair to change the positioning of the goalposts during a match. We did not tell Turkey in 1999 or in 2002 that a referendum would be held after all these procedures. France and Austria should have raised the ideas of a referendum in 1963 or before 2004.' With regard to Turkey's signing of the Customs Union addendum protocol, Bot said they have to show Turkey that this does not mean the Cypriot Greek administration is recognized definitely and legally. As the Dutch ambassador to Turkey between 1986 and 1989, Bot said, 'Turkey's accession will be valuable. I can say this because I know Turks well.' "
More:The Journal of Turkish Weekly
