European Parliament puts Armenian genocide resolution in front of Turkey

With just a short while to go before the start of the October 3 EU accession talks for Turkey, the European Parliament has voted on two decisions which may bring Ankara-Brussels relations to the point of crisis. Following a vote to postpone Customs Union protocol between Turkey and the EU, the European Parliament put forth a non-binding measure proposing that Turkish recognition of the Armenian genocide be made a requirement before EU membership. Discussions yesterday in the European Parliament also brought forth a call for Turkey to recognize the Greek Cypriot authority as soon as possible. Following votes cast by 356, with 181 voting against, the European Parliament confirmed resolutions that Turkey should get on the fast track to normalizing relations with southern Cyprus, including the withdrawal of its soldiers from the area. The vote also recommended an immediate change in the Turkish legal system as it relates to "freedom of expression," with a pointed reference to the recent case opened up against Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk. As for the resolution on the Armenian genocide, it was the fifth resolution in favor of the Armenians taken by the European Parliament since 1987. Â