One billion Euro returns to EU coffers following Ankara sluggishness
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Sluggishness on the part of Ankara in terms of financial union with the EU is costing Turkey a lot. A total of 1 billion Euro which had been tagged for use in 2005 has returned to EU coffers following Turkey's failure to take certain steps. The EU is expected to announce the decision to freeze its financial cooperation with Turkey on April 26. Negative results expected from this result are as follows:
There are some accession talks subjects which will not start. These include "public bidding," "competition," and "business start-ups."
There will be a stop on funding from the EU for certain projects.
The EU Commission is preparing right now to freeze its "financial cooperation" with Turkey. With Turkey apparently failing to take steps requested since 2002 by the EU on the subject of financial cooperation, the EU's decision to put the brakes on its own contributions to this arena looks like it will carry a heavy price tag for Turkey.
The decision from the EU Commission on this front is expected at the April 26 meeting in Ankara of the "EU-Turkey Joint Control Committee."
It has also been revealed that the "Screening Period," which is under way and will continue until October, is experiencing problems, both on the Turkish and the EU sides of the screening. Problems are purported to be in connection with both the contents and the timing of the talks.
Why are the funds being frozen?
According to information from EU authorities, the EU Commission is expecting urgent steps from Turkey on three fronts in particular. These are:
1-The employment of at least 80 people at the "Central Finance and Bidding Organization" set up specifically to present projects to the EU. Currently, the number of experts working at this organization is only 52.
2-The encompassing by the Treasury Ministry of this "Central Finance and Bidding Organization." This must be approved by the Turkish Parliament.
3-The strengthening of the European Union General Secretariat in Turkey, an important factor in dialogue with the civilian population, according to the EU.