About the Independent Commission
A group of distinguished European policymakers have formed an independent Commission to examine the challenges and opportunities presented by Turkey's possible membership in the European Union.
The Commission is made up of former heads of state and government, foreign ministers and European commissioners, and other Europeans who have previously held high positions in public office. Martti Ahtisaari is the chairman of the Commission. Albert Rohan is rapporteur. The British Council is supporting the Independent Commission in partnership with the Open Society Foundation–Turkey.
Mavi Boncuk |7 September 2009
Turkey in Europe: Breaking the Vicious Circle, the second report of the Independent Commission on Turkey [1], analyzes the key developments in EU-Turkey relations and puts forward concrete steps necessary to revive negotiations.
The Independent Commission on Turkey is convinced of the huge benefits of Turkish convergence with Europe and an eventual EU membership of a transformed Turkey, both for the country itself and the European Union. Despite a promising start to negotiations in 2004, the process has developed a vicious circle: continued negative comments by European political leaders, combined with growing public hesitation about further EU enlargement, have deepened resentment in Turkey and slowed the necessary reforms.
The report argues that this vicious circle must urgently be broken, in the interest of both Turkey and the EU. European governments must honor their commitments and treat Turkey with fairness and the respect it deserves. On its side, Turkey has to re-engage in a dynamic, broad-based reform process, thus confirming that it is willing and serious in its ambition to join the EU.
View the corresponding press release, read report chapter highlights, or read more information on the topic.
The report is also available in the following languages:
 | French (PDF, 814K) |
 | German (PDF, 825K) |
 | Italian (PDF, 811K) |
 | Turkish (PDF, 1200K) |
[1] Martti Ahtisaari (Chairman)/Former President of Finland Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2008
Kurt Biedenkopf/Former Prime Minister of Saxony, Germany
Emma Bonino/Former European Commissioner Former Minister for International Trade and European Affairs, Italy Vice-President of the Italian Senate
Hans van den Broek/Former Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Former European Commissioner
Bronisław Geremek († 13 July 2008) Former Foreign Minister of Poland
Anthony Giddens/Former Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science
Marcelino Oreja Aguirre/Former Foreign Minister of Spain Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe Former European Commissioner
Michel Rocard/Former Prime Minister of France
Albert Rohan (Rapporteur)/Former Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, Austria
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